Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè has resigned: "My criminal record is spotless, but 'I obey'"

After a long tug-of-war with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who had hoped for her "step back", Daniela Santanchè has resigned as Minister of Tourism. "Dear Giorgia, I hereby submit, as you have officially hoped, my resignation from the role of minister that you entrusted to me and which I believe I have carried out to the best of my abilities and without any contraindications," writes Daniela Santanchè in her resignation letter to Prime Minister Meloni, in which she also states: "I wanted to emphasize that as of today my criminal record is spotless and that regarding the redundancy fund issue, there is not even a simple indictment".

"I wanted my resignation to be separate from the current issue - Santanchè wrote further - and quite different from what concerned Mr. Delmastro, who is also paying a high price. Having clarified this, I have no difficulty in saying ‘I obey’ and doing what you ask".

"I won't hide from you - concludes the now former minister - a bit of bitterness regarding the outcome of my ministerial journey, but in my life I am used to paying my bills and often those of others as well. I care more about our friendship and the future of our movement".

The pressure for her resignation was strong; Giorgia Meloni had hoped for Daniela Santanchè's resignation quickly since last night. In the afternoon, in majority circles, the rumor began to circulate insistently that the minister was about to submit her resignation. This then happened.

As soon as the news was reported by the agencies, the work in the Montecitorio chamber was interrupted by a sudden and long applause, especially from the opposition benches. The presiding officer, Giorgio Mulè, was taken aback for a few seconds. Then he resumed speaking. "I thought you were applauding me, then I saw the agencies..." he said, referring to the news of Daniela Santanchè's resignation.