Italy’s Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè resigned on Wednesday following a request from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The move comes after a referendum defeat for Meloni’s government on judicial reforms, a vote widely seen as a test of her leadership.
Meloni had publicly called for Santanchè’s resignation, seeking to restore credibility after the referendum results. Santanchè, a key member of Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party, has faced multiple legal challenges, including allegations of false accounting and fraud, which she denies.
Despite surviving a no-confidence motion last year, Santanchè acknowledged Meloni’s wishes and stated she did not want to be a “scapegoat” for the referendum outcome. She noted the reforms passed in her region, but ultimately submitted her resignation.
The failed judicial reforms aimed to streamline Italy’s judicial system, but critics argued they risked concentrating too much power in the executive branch. The defeat has raised questions about the stability of Meloni’s governing coalition.