Italy has appointed Alessandro Giuli, the head of Rome's Maxxi Museum of contemporary art, as the new culture minister following the resignation of his predecessor, Gennaro Sangiuliano, amid a scandal involving the appointment of his former mistress as an advisor. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who announced the appointment, emphasized that Giuli would continue the government's efforts to "revive national culture" in line with its right-wing agenda. A former journalist and close ally of Meloni, Giuli has a far-right background, including membership in the neo-fascist group Meridiano Zero and involvement with the Italian Social Movement. Despite his limited experience in museum management, Giuli was appointed president of the Maxxi foundation in 2022, a role marked by controversy, particularly his failure to intervene during a sexist outburst by a former undersecretary for culture. Meanwhile, Sangiuliano, who took pride in increasing museum visitor numbers during his tenure, faced criticism for mishandling public funds and personal controversies, leading to his resignation. The appointment of Giuli comes as Meloni's government continues to reshape Italy’s cultural sector, challenging previous left-wing influence and supporting projects such as an exhibition dedicated to J.R.R. Tolkien.
Selena Mattei