Giorgia Meloni has once again shattered conventions. Following her historic appointment as Italy’s first female prime minister and the first leader from a post-fascist background, she made headlines once more by becoming the first head of government to publicly declare the end of her romantic relationship on social media.
In October, on the platform previously known as Twitter (now X), she shared, “My decade-long association with Andrea Giambruno concludes here.” Her message conveyed that their paths had diverged, and it was time to bid adieu. “I have nothing further to add on this matter,” she succinctly concluded.
Yet, that was not entirely accurate. There was more to her story.
In a postscript to her announcement, she directly addressed “those who aimed to undermine me through interference in my private life.” She enigmatically wrote, “No matter how fervently a droplet aspires to sculpt stone, the stone remains impervious while the droplet remains mere water.” This cryptic addition made it evident that behind her personal disclosure lay a political struggle, and for days, it became the sole topic of discussion in newspapers and on news programs.
From a distance, it might be challenging to fathom why there was such ado about Ms. Meloni’s relationship ending. To some, the conclusion of her relationship may seem trivial, or at the very least, a personal matter. However, the entire saga, from her partner’s fall from grace to their breakup, provides insight into the dynamics of power in Italy, where politics, media, and business interests are intricately intertwined. It offers a revealing glimpse into how the nation operates.
Almost a decade ago, Mr. Giambruno and Ms. Meloni crossed paths in television studios. She is an ambitious leader of a small far-right party constantly seeking visibility, and he is a budding anchorman on the ascent. It appeared to be a perfect match. The couple openly acknowledged their contrasting political stances on issues like cannabis legalization and same-sex marriage. Despite Ms. Meloni’s strong support for traditional family values, they chose not to marry. In 2016, they welcomed a daughter. Their relationship was forged and lived in the relentless glare of the media spotlight, and it would ultimately conclude under its scrutiny as well.
In mid-October, off-air videos and audio recordings surfaced, featuring Mr. Giambruno making inappropriate remarks and engaging in awkward flirtations with a co-worker. (“Why didn’t we meet sooner?” he lamented.) The audio recordings delved even deeper into impropriety. Amidst numerous lewd comments, he invited female colleagues to join his team, where they would partake in “threesomes” and “foursomes.” Shortly after these recordings became public, Ms. Meloni declared the end of their relationship.
Mr. Giambruno’s affiliation was with the Mediaset group, Italy’s largest private broadcaster. His downfall was an inside job, as someone captured the compromising scenes and leaked them to the popular satirical program “Striscia la Notizia,” which is also aired by Mediaset. The company is owned by the Berlusconi family.
When Ms. Meloni assumed office in October of the previous year, Mr. Giambruno stepped down as the anchor of a news program to avoid potential conflicts of interest and took on a behind-the-scenes role on a different show. However, it wasn’t long before Mediaset encouraged him to assume a more prominent role. In July, he began hosting a daily current affairs program, inevitably placing him in the uncomfortable position of offering commentary on a government led by his partner.
Suddenly, Ms. Meloni, who had always prided herself on being an independent, self-made politician impervious to blackmail, found herself vulnerable to proxy political attacks as people criticized her partner’s actions. Mr. Giambruno did not make it easier, committing serious blunders under intense scrutiny, such as implying that women should avoid inebriation to fend off sexual predators. He also compelled Ms. Meloni to publicly clarify that his statements did not represent her views.
The leaked recordings, which were deeply embarrassing for the prime minister, served as the last straw. Ms. Meloni purportedly interpreted the entire episode as a conspiracy aimed at undermining her. The question remained: Who was the mastermind behind it all? Marina Berlusconi, a 57-year-old businesswoman and the eldest child of Silvio Berlusconi, the four-time prime minister who passed away in June, emerged as the most likely suspect. Although she had no direct role in Mediaset (which her brother Pier Silvio oversees), Ms. Berlusconi served as the chair of the company’s parent entity, Fininvest.
Ms. Berlusconi asserted that she had no intention of seeking public office, but that did not diminish her interest in influencing the political landscape. The Berlusconi family played a pivotal role in Forza Italia, a conservative party founded by Mr. Berlusconi, which held a modest yet influential position in the government coalition. Moreover, the family, at the helm of an estimated $6.8 billion conglomerate, aimed to safeguard its business interests from government interference.
In September, Ms. Berlusconi vocally criticized the government’s proposal for a windfall tax on banks, specifically targeting the additional profits resulting from elevated interest rates. This initiative, conceived by Ms. Meloni, would have encroached upon the earnings of Banca Mediolanum, a financial institution partially controlled by the Berlusconi family and integral to its empire. In alignment with Ms. Berlusconi’s stance, Forza Italia effectively worked to dilute the legislation.
From the outset, Forza Italia had been an uneasy participant in the government, harboring resentment due to its junior status within a right-wing coalition comprising three parties. Beneath the façade of harmony, it clashed with Ms. Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party on various issues, spanning support for Ukraine, fiscal policies, inheritance taxes, and justice system reforms. The Giambruno episode, seemingly pitting Forza Italia against the prime minister, further complicated their relationship and might even weaken a government already struggling to pass a budget under mounting pressure from financial markets and regulatory bodies.
Was Ms. Meloni the target of an intricate conspiracy designed to undermine her government? It’s tempting to exaggerate the cunning of the parties involved. (Ms. Berlusconi vehemently denied any involvement in the controversy.) Italy is not only the realm of Machiavelli but also the setting of bunga-bunga parties, making it challenging to discern political acumen from carelessness. Nevertheless, this episode lays bare the web of conflicts of interest that characterizes public life in Italy.
This enigmatic chess game, where the personal and the political continually intersect, defies conventional wisdom—an intricate labyrinth where familiar faces reappear in different roles. Over half a century ago, an aphorism often attributed to journalist Leo Longanesi encapsulated the issue: “The revolution will never come to pass in Italy because we all know each other.” The same appears to hold true for a functional government.
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