Italy's tourism minister, Daniela Santanchè, has resigned after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly called for her to step down, a rare move that highlights the growing turmoil within the far-right government following a bruising referendum defeat.
Santanchè, a prominent member of Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, had resisted pressure for months amid multiple legal proceedings against her. In her resignation letter, she said she did not want to be made a 'scapegoat' for the referendum result, adding that she would 'obey' the prime minister's request.
The resignation comes just days after a separate scandal involving mafia-linked restaurant shares forced the resignation of Justice Undersecretary Andrea Delmastro. The revelations, which emerged before the referendum on judicial reforms, further eroded public confidence in Meloni's administration.
Meloni, who is in Algeria for talks on gas supplies, has rejected opposition calls for her own resignation. However, analysts say the prime minister's public demand for Santanchè to go signals a weakening of her authority, as she struggles to maintain stability ahead of the 2027 general election.
Santanchè, who denies all wrongdoing, expressed 'bitterness' over the end of her ministerial career. The opposition has urged Meloni to address what they call an 'evident political crisis' in parliament.
