Italian Tourism Minister Charged With Fraud Over COVID-19 Funds

Daniela Santanche

DANIELA Santanche, Italy's tourism minister, is entangled in a judicial struggle after being charged with fraud involving government redundancy funds claimed by her publishing companies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The allegations, announced on Friday, May 3, prompted immediate calls for Santanche's resignation from opposition MPs, particularly those from the center-left Democratic Party.

Santanche, a key member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy party, firmly denies the accusations, having already defended herself against similar allegations during a furious parliamentary session last year.

However, the Milan prosecutor's office has moved forward with the accusation, which alleges fraudulent activities involving Santanche's enterprises, Visibilia Editore and Visibilia Concessionaria.

The allegations come from alleged irregularities in the use of the COVID-19 redundancy fund, specifically with the employment status of 13 individuals.

According to reports, Visibilia received state funding designed to help struggling enterprises temporarily lay off employees due to the pandemic, despite proof that the staff continued to work.

Notably, when Santanche became a minister in Meloni's government in October 2022, she sold her stake in Visibilia.

However, the months-long probe has resulted in Santanche's indictment, triggering increased calls for her resignation from opposition groupings.

Opposition leaders, including Elly Schlein of the Democratic Party, have urged Prime Minister Meloni to protect the government's legitimacy by requesting Santanche's resignation in light of the allegations.

As the judicial proceedings progress, Santanche's political destiny hangs in the balance, with the conclusion expected to resonate across Italy's political spectrum.