Meloni Tightens Grip on Italian Museums

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has taken direct control of the country's museums, according to a report in Le Journal des Arts. The article, published on April 30, 2026, details a centralization of power over cultural institutions, with Meloni's government assuming authority previously held by regional and local bodies. This move is part of a broader nationalist cultural policy aimed at asserting state control over Italy's artistic heritage. The report, written by Olivier Tosseri, notes that the reform affects major museums and archaeological sites, shifting decision-making from directors and local committees to the Ministry of Culture. Critics argue this threatens institutional autonomy and could politicize curatorial choices. The article appears in issue 676 of Le Journal des Arts, dated May 2, 2026.