In a recent development, Andrea Giambruno, the former partner of Italy’s Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, has lost his position as the host of a national television programme. The decision came in the wake of off-air sexist comments made by Giambruno, which were leaked to another show. Despite this, Giambruno will retain an editorial role within the show, as per the announcement by Mediaset, the TV company that hosts the show. Mediaset falls under the ownership of the family of the late Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
The off-air comments by Giambruno were broadcast on the satirical TV programme, Striscia La Notizia, also known as The News Strip. Here, Giambruno was recorded discussing an affair he was having with female colleagues and seemingly making propositions towards one woman for group sexual activity.
In a statement, Mediaset voiced Giambruno’s regret for the discomfort and embarrassment his behaviour triggered. It was further stated that he had willingly stepped down from his on-screen role on the Mediaset channel Rete4’s show, Diario del giorno, also known as Diary of the Day. Mediaset stated that no disciplinary actions would be taken against the former presenter.
Giambruno’s former position has been temporarily filled by journalist Manuela Boselli. It has been suggested in Italian reports that the scandal surrounding Giambruno’s leaked comments may be causing strain within Meloni’s government. Meloni’s right-wing coalition comprises three parties, including Forza Italia, founded by Berlusconi. Pier Silvio Berlusconi, the eldest son of the former Prime Minister, currently heads Mediaset.
The Berlusconi family and Forza Italia have both refuted any connection to the leak of Giambruno’s comments. These remarks have put Prime Minister Meloni, who assumed office in October of the previous year, in an embarrassing situation.
Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani, who succeeded Silvio Berlusconi as party leader post his demise in June, stated that the Berlusconi family was taken aback and regretted the incident that transpired following the report on Mediaset. However, he clarified that the individuals responsible for it are independent.
Meloni had announced that her relationship with Giambruno, which spanned close to a decade, had ended. The couple, who met in 2015 and are parents to a seven-year-old girl named Ginevra, had been together for nearly 10 years. Meloni, who leads the far-right Brothers of Italy party, is renowned for her staunch belief in traditional Catholic family values.
Antonio Ricci, the director of Striscia La Notizia, previously told the Ansa news agency that Meloni would eventually realise that his actions were beneficial to her. As per Ansa, Giambruno’s colleagues have stated that he often joked about his relationship with the Prime Minister. The possibility of more humiliating recordings surfacing cannot be discounted, the agency reported.
