Overview
- Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè stepped down Wednesday after public pressure from Giorgia Meloni to remove figures facing legal clouds.
- Her exit followed Tuesday resignations by Justice Ministry officials Andrea Delmastro and Giusi Bartolozzi, who left after the premier asked them to go.
- Delmastro drew scrutiny over a steakhouse venture tied to the daughter of a man convicted as a front for a Rome crime clan, while Bartolozzi was criticized for calling magistrates a “firing squad” and for decisions linked to the Almasri case.
- Opposition parties filed a no-confidence motion against Santanchè and demanded more departures, and tensions flared within the governing bloc of Fratelli d’Italia, Forza Italia and the League.
- Nordio told Parliament he would not resign and said Meloni reaffirmed her confidence, as reports counted about five recent government exits and pointed to ongoing debate over further changes.