Italian Culture Minister Sangiuliano Faces Resignation Over Scandal

Gennaro Sangiuliano, Italy's Minister of Culture under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is expected to resign following a scandal involving Maria Rosaria Boccia, a woman from Pompei with whom he had an extramarital relationship. Boccia publicly refuted Sangiuliano's claims about her role, posting evidence on Instagram that she had access to confidential G7 documents and was considered for a position as advisor for major events. Her Instagram following grew from zero to over 70,000. The scandal has embarrassed the Meloni government, especially given the upcoming G7 Culture meeting in late September, where Boccia was involved without official capacity. Sangiuliano's televised apology on TG1 failed to quell the controversy. The affair has damaged the image of Italy's cultural sector, already strained by previous gaffes. A government reshuffle is anticipated, with potential successors including Alessandro Giuli (president of MAXXI), Antonio Mazza (undersecretary), Umberto Croppi (former Rome culture assessor), Flavia Perina, Giordano Bruno Guerri, Angelo Crespi, or Claudio Borghi (Lega). The scandal also intersects with regional elections in Veneto and the impending departure of Minister Fitto to become EU Commissioner.