Italys tourism minister resigns amid turmoil from referendum failure

Published: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 6:35 pm

Italian Tourism Minister Resigns Amidst Political Turmoil

Italy's tourism minister, Daniela Santanchè, has resigned following a public call from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. This move comes in the wake of a significant defeat in a recent referendum on judicial reforms, which has shaken the stability of Meloni's far-right government. The referendum, which saw high voter turnout, rejected proposed amendments to the country's post-fascism constitution. These amendments aimed to alter the recruitment and governance of judges and prosecutors.

The resignation of Santanchè, a prominent figure in Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, was preceded by the departures of two justice ministry officials. Andrea Delmastro, a justice ministry undersecretary, resigned after revelations about his business dealings. Giusi Bartolozzi, the chief of staff to the justice minister, also stepped down.

The referendum defeat has sparked a political crisis, with opposition parties urging Meloni to address the situation in parliament. The prime minister, who has led one of the most stable governments in the Italian republic since taking office in October 2022, is now facing scrutiny of her leadership. Analysts suggest that Meloni's public call for Santanchè's resignation indicates a shift in her political standing.

The opposition, emboldened by the referendum results, is seeking to build a challenge to Meloni's government ahead of the next general election. The high voter turnout in the referendum is seen as a clear message that the government must address the priorities of Italians. While some analysts speculate about the possibility of early elections, the current expectation is that elections will take place in the first half of 2027.

BNN's Perspective: The situation in Italy highlights the challenges of governing in a complex political landscape. While the referendum outcome presents a setback for the government, it also underscores the importance of public engagement and the need for leaders to respond to the concerns of the electorate. The coming months will be crucial in determining the future direction of Italian politics.

Keywords: Italy, tourism minister, resignation, Giorgia Meloni, referendum, judicial reforms, political crisis, government, elections, opposition, Daniela Santanchè, Brothers of Italy, Italian politics

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