Italian Culture Minister Resigns Amid Scandal

Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano resigned following a scandal involving an affair with Maria Rosaria Boccia, a fashion entrepreneur who was controversially offered a consultancy role in the ministry. The affair, which Sangiuliano initially denied but later admitted to, involved Boccia recording their interactions with spy glasses and posting them online, raising concerns about security breaches. Sangiuliano publicly apologized to his wife and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who initially rejected his resignation. Meloni accepted his resignation after nearly two weeks and appointed Alessandro Giuli as his replacement. Sangiuliano defended his actions, claiming Boccia never had access to sensitive information and that he personally funded her trips. The scandal has drawn significant media attention and comparisons to past political sex scandals in Italy.