Vittorio Sgarbi, Italian Secretary of State for Culture in the ultraconservative government of Giorgia Meloni and weakened by several affairs, announced his resignation on Friday February 2, the first of a member of the executive.
“I am resigning”
, he announced during a TV program in Milan (north), specifying that his decision took effect immediately and that he would inform
the head of government in writing
“in the coming hours”
, Giorgia Meloni.
Vittorio Sgarbi, a 71-year-old art historian, has regularly attracted controversy in recent years and been the subject of several investigations.
He is notably the target of a procedure by the Italian competition watchdog who suspects him of having monetized his services as a speaker, an activity prohibited for people belonging to the executive.
“I don’t want anyone to die”
Vittorio Sgarbi, who denied any conflict of interest, would have received around 300,000 euros in various fees since his entry into government as a speaker or presenter of books or exhibitions, according to media reports.
The second case concerns the opening by the Macerata (center) public prosecutor's office of an investigation into Vittorio Sgarbi, suspected of having exhibited a painting previously modified in order to mask its illicit origin, accusations that he vigorously denies.
His relations with the media are execrable, the man having a tendency to lose his temper easily and not to control his language.
A video shows him insulting journalists and wishing them dead:
“If you die in a traffic accident, that makes me happy
,” he says.
“I am known for my imprecations but I have no inclination towards cruelty and I do not want anyone to die
,” he assured Friday.