The Italian press has dubbed it “The Mysterious Blonde Affair.” The one that could cost the much-maligned Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano his job. Totally unknown to the general public just a few weeks ago, her portrait is now plastered across the front pages of newspapers. Maria Rosaria Boccia, born in Pompeii 41 years ago, has been frantically posting photographs on her Instagram account with the minister for several months. Photos taken at official events, conferences in the Chamber of Deputies, and visits to the archaeological park of Pompeii, which is due to host the G7 of culture ministers on September 19.
Nothing that could disturb the summer torpor of the transalpine media. Until Maria Rosaria Boccia posted the umpteenth photograph with Gennaro Sangiuliano, on August 26, under which she wrote this caption: “Thanks to the Minister of Culture for the appointment as advisor to the Minister for major events.”
A curt denial is quickly published that does not answer in any way the flood of questions raised by this announcement by Maria Rosaria Boccia. In what capacity is she accompanying Gennaro Sangiuliano? Who pays her travel expenses? What is her role within the ministry? In the Italian press there is also concern that sensitive security issues, such as access and travel for ministers participating in the next G7, have reached her.
The ministry’s defense of minimizing the incident is clumsy. The daily The Foglio reveals that “Even the ministry now admits that Boccia participated in preparatory meetings for the G7 and cannot exclude that she received emails from officials”The opposition asked parliamentary questions to seek clarification from Minister Sangiuliano.
He spoke for the first time to the press, specifying that the G7 would finally be held at the Royal Palace in Naples and that he had not “never discussed security issues with Maria Rosaria Boccia, for which not a single euro of public money had been spent”If new evidence were to contradict these statements, he could be forced to resign.
