Meloni has begun a shake-up of the Italian government — Politico
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has initiated a major reshuffle of her cabinet following the failure of a nationwide referendum.
The defeat in the vote on judicial reform not only undermined the prime minister’s political authority but also gave the opposition a boost to launch an active offensive.
According to Politico, the first consequences of the crisis were the resignations of two top officials at the Ministry of Justice.
The tourism minister is also expected to step down soon, as she has been formally charged with financial fraud, further damaging the image of the current cabinet.
Opposition forces sharply criticized the prime minister’s actions, stating that she is attempting to appoint “scapegoats” for her own strategic miscalculations.
All officials who have been “let go” are currently under investigation by the prosecutor’s office on various charges—ranging from corruption to ties to organized crime.
The case that caused the most uproar involved Deputy Minister of Justice Andrea Delmastro Delle Vedove, who is considered a longtime ally of Meloni.
The investigation revealed his business ties to a Roman mafia clan through joint ownership of a restaurant business with the daughter of a convicted mafia member.
The official himself denies any deliberate violations of the law, but admitted that he “should have been more careful” in choosing business partners.
Meanwhile, the chief of staff of the same ministry, Giusi Bartoluzzi, is accused of aiding the escape from Rome of a Libyan military commander wanted by the International Criminal Court.
Special attention is focused on Tourism Minister Daniela Santanque, in whom the prime minister has officially lost confidence.
The official is suspected of embezzling public funds allocated as business aid during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was the last straw for the head of government.
Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, who was the chief architect of the failed reform, accepted responsibility for the defeat in the referendum.
Despite this, he refused to resign immediately, stating his intention to “return to his work and hobbies” only after next year’s national elections.
As a reminder, Meloni lost the referendum on judicial reform.
Meloni also expressed understanding for Orbán’s decision to block aid to Ukraine.
