Francesca Caruso appointed Lombardy culture councillor amid coalition negotiations

Francesca Caruso, a civil lawyer from Varese and member of Fratelli d'Italia, has been appointed as the new assessore alla Cultura (culture councillor) for the Lombardy region. The appointment came after a complex negotiation process within the centre-right coalition led by re-elected president Attilio Fontana. Caruso, born in 1980, holds a law degree specializing in civil and family law, and has been active in Giorgia Meloni's party since 2012, politically close to Ignazio La Russa. She previously served as vice mayor and security councillor for Gallarate from 2016, focusing on road safety and combating violence against women. She has no known background in culture but stated she will coordinate a team of experts to cover the sector's various segments. Caruso replaces Stefano Bruno Galli, a professor of political doctrines at the University of Milan. Her appointment follows the exclusion of philosopher Stefano Zecchi, who was culture councillor for Milan from 2005 to 2006, and Vittorio Sgarbi, who reportedly faced a veto from Lucia Ronzulli (though denied). Caruso will not have the autonomy delegation, which goes to Lega's Mauro Piazza. Meanwhile, in the Lazio region, President Francesco Rocca's council was announced on March 11, 2023: Simona Baldassarre (Lega), a former MEP and medical doctor, became culture councillor, also overseeing equal opportunities, youth policies, and family. Pasquale Ciacciarelli (Lega) received urban planning, housing, and sea policies.