Italy's Meloni picks new tourism minister in shake-up after referendum
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
FILE PHOTO: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni looks on as she waits for the arrival of President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, at Chigi Palace, in Rome, Italy, February 26, 2026. REUTERS/Remo Casilli/File Photo
ROME, April 3 - Italy's culture undersecretary Gianmarco Mazzi was sworn in on Friday as the country's new tourism minister, the latest change in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government after her defeat in a referendum on judicial reform.
Former television and entertainment executive Mazzi replaces Daniela Santanche, who is facing trial over accounting charges linked to a publishing group she previously owned and resigned from her ministry post last week under pressure from Meloni.
Meloni wrote on her X social media account that Mazzi's background in the culture and entertainment sector would be an asset for Italy, posting a photograph of the swearing-in ceremony with President Sergio Mattarella.
Since last week's referendum defeat, Meloni has sought to reassert control by removing scandal-plagued figures from her government. Two senior justice ministry officials have also stepped down. REUTERS
