An Italian minister resigns following the appointment of his lover as an adviser

Italy’s culture minister has resigned after a dispute over the appointment of his ex-wife as a senior adviser sparked a weeks-long conflict within the country’s government.

Gennaro Sangiuliano, 62, found himself in the middle of a media storm when Maria Rosaria Boccia – his former lover – wrote on LinkedIn that she had been appointed as his advisor for “big events”.

He initially denied the claim, but in a tearful interview with State TV on Wednesday, Mr Sangiuliano admitted he had an affair with Ms Boccia and hired her as an unpaid consultant.

On Friday, he finally submitted his letter of resignation to Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, but denied that he had violated ministerial rules.

Mr. Sangiuliano also apologized to his wife in an interview on Wednesday and said that he broke up with Ms. Boccia during the summer. He said he first met her in Naples in May, before their friendship turned into what he called an “emotional relationship”.

Throughout the incident, Ms Boccia recorded her interactions with Mr Sangiuliano using her phone and RayBan Stories – sunglasses designed by Meta equipped with a camera and microphone. More photos have since been posted on Instagram, with Ms Boccia insisting there was nothing illegal about her private filming.

In the photos posted on her account, Ms. Boccia documented several trips with Mr. Sangiuliano on official visits, raising questions as to whether state money was spent on her travel or residence.

The minister dismissed any suggestion that public money was spent on Ms Boccia, telling state TV on Wednesday that “not a single euro” had been spent on her trip. He presented documents that he said were consistent with his claim that he had paid his own expenses.

Critics also raised concerns that Ms Boccia had access to classified information, after pictures showed her accompanying ministers to Pompeii – where G7 culture ministers will meet next month. Other photos showed that he has access to offices and services and documents.

Since the couple split, the 41-year-old has made a number of accusations about Mr.

Ms. Meloni thanked the outgoing culture minister for his “extraordinary work”, writing in X that his efforts “allowed the Italian government to achieve important results in the re-presentation and development of Italy’s great heritage, even beyond its national borders”.

But the debate is the latest scandal to hit Ms Meloni’s government, which is led by her far-right Brothers of Italy party.

A number of his top ministers have been investigated for various scandals, including Daniela Santanchè, the tourism minister, who has faced allegations of money laundering and fraud.

Francesco Lollobrigida, the agriculture minister, sparked outrage after he ordered a high-speed train overnight to release him in the morning. And Vittorio Sgarbi – a junior minister – was forced to resign after confronting him the alleged illegal acquisition of an important Renaissance painting.

Ms. Meloni appeared to express displeasure with her cabinet on Wednesday, telling ministers to be more careful in their public duties.

“We are making history, and we all need to be aware of it,” said the prime minister at the meeting. “This does not allow for pauses and pauses, and little by little mistakes and false steps.”

Despite the scandals, his government remains popular in opinion polls, and Italy’s opposition remains split between many parties.