Italy’s Tourism Minister, Daniela Santanchè, resigned on Wednesday after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni requested her departure “for reasons of institutional sensitivity.”
Santanchè, who headed the Ministry of Tourism, is under investigation for alleged fraud against Italy’s National Social Security Institute and is also facing trial over accusations of falsified financial statements.
In her statement, Santanchè said she was stepping down in accordance with Meloni’s request but maintained that her “criminal record is clean.”
The Italian Parliament had been preparing to debate a no-confidence motion against her next week.
Her resignation comes alongside the departures of Deputy Justice Minister Andrea Delmastro and Giusi Bartolocci, head of a special office within the Justice Ministry.
These resignations are seen as a consequence of the governing coalition’s recent defeat in a referendum on judicial reform. Analysts suggest that Meloni is attempting to signal political renewal within her administration.
Santanchè was a prominent figure in Meloni’s party, Brothers of Italy.
