The Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano has decided to leave his post: his irrevocable resignation was communicated in a letter to the President of the Council Giorgia Meloni.

The step back comes after the revelations and controversies triggered by his relationship with the entrepreneur and influencer Maria Rosaria Boccia .

In the letter delivered to Palazzo Chigi, Sangiuliano wanted to thank the prime minister for having "defended him with determination". "My honorability is at stake and I believe it is important to be able to act to demonstrate my absolute transparency and correctness, without involving the government", Sangiuliano continues in the letter. And again: "Never has a single euro from the ministry been spent on improper activities. I have said it and I will demonstrate it in every venue. Not only that. I will get to the bottom of it to verify whether different interests have contributed to the affair and I will take action against those who have published fake news in recent days", writes the now ex-minister.

“PROUD OF THE RESULTS” – «I am proud of the results achieved on cultural policies in these almost two years of government», says Sangiuliano, listing the main objectives achieved, from the opening of museums during the holidays to large exhibitions.

"This work - Sangiuliano emphasizes - cannot be tainted and above all stopped by questions of gossip. Institutions are too high a value and must not submit to the reasons of individuals. I need personal tranquility, to be next to my wife whom I love, but above all to have a free hand to act in all legal venues against those who have caused me this damage, starting - concludes Sangiuliano - with an imminent complaint to the Public Prosecutor's Office, which I intend to present".

As for the future, Sangiuliano explained: «I need personal tranquility and to be close to my wife whom I love».

MELONI: “AN HONEST MAN” – For her part, Giorgia Meloni commented on the step back as follows: «I sincerely thank Gennaro Sangiuliano, a capable person and an honest man, for the extraordinary work done so far, which has allowed the Italian Government to achieve important results in the relaunch and valorization of the great Italian cultural heritage, even outside the national borders».

Georgia Meloni. (ANSA).

THE TASK TO GIULI – After Sangiuliano's resignation, the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella received Prime Minister Meloni at the Quirinale. On that occasion, at the Prime Minister's suggestion, the appointment of the new Minister of Culture was ratified: the journalist Alessandro Giuli , 48 years old.

THE REACTIONS – The resignations had immediate reactions from the opposition forces.

«Sangiuliano's resignation comes late, but it is still the most appropriate act since he has been minister», commented PD secretary Elly Schlein .

"I called Sangiuliano, I expressed solidarity on a personal and human level for a gesture that is now politically necessary. I also note this, that he is the prime minister who resigns in relation to Santanché, in relation to Lollobrigida and Delmastro and even resigns when Giorgia Melloni had asked to stay", the words of the president of the M5s Giuseppe Conte .

"Premier Giorgia Meloni is once again defending the indefensible, I have no choice but to turn to the judicial authorities," said instead the spokesperson of Europa Verde and deputy of Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra, Angelo Bonelli , who filed a complaint addressed to the Public Prosecutor's Office of Rome on the affair of Minister Sangiuliano. Attached to the document are press articles, emails and screenshots of Maria Rosaria Boccia's social media. The hypotheses - explained Bonelli - are "distraction for embezzlement and disclosure of official secrets".

(Online Union)

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