The video circulated among parliamentarians early in the morning, reposted by Dagospia. In the Transatlantic, the only topic of discussion was the twenty-second segment of a video interview with Money.it, in which journalist Claudia Conte revealed she was having an affair with Matteo Piantedosi. It may seem like simple gossip, but it quickly became a political issue, handled with caution at Palazzo Chigi. Giorgia Meloni questioned the Interior Minister himself this afternoon, following a previously scheduled meeting on security and migrants, and he reassured her, according to Palazzo Chigi.
But alarm is still high, as reflected in the mood within the majority. The scandal erupts on a day when Meloni, preparing for the next phase, a week before her parliamentary appearance, is shuffling between meetings with various ministers. She's meeting with Giancarlo Giorgetti about extending the excise tax cuts, with Elvira Calderone about possible measures to combat the labor crisis ahead of May 1st, and with Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi about energy supplies. She's also meeting with Piantedosi, whose name has meanwhile become a hot topic of discussion among center-right MPs, amidst quips ("No one's resigned for a couple of days..."), more concerned comments, and speculation about the origins of what many consider "a poisoned meatball." Some are even suggesting that the woman was set up by Vannacciani. In any case, the case is considered highly sensitive within the government, one that could have ripple effects.
The minister also met with Matteo Salvini in the past few hours. The two are in complete agreement, according to sources within the League, which has been following this line for days: "We're not asking for anything, but if our allies were to start discussing the government team, our priority would be the Interior Ministry." This option, the party emphasizes, is one that the League is currently refusing to even informally raise, precisely out of respect for Piantedosi and to avoid malicious reconstructions. "Claudia Conte and the connection with Piantedosi, when merit transcends prejudice," is the Money.it headline summarizing the interview the 34-year-old gave to Marco Gaetani, a well-known figure among politicians as the host of, among other things, the radio station Atreju, the FdI's party.
A journalist, writer, host, TV commentator, and spokesperson for the National Observatory on Bullying and Youth Disability, she calls herself Conte on social media. Photos with the Pope are prominent, along with images of events she attended as a Senate speaker. She also served as patroness of the Amerigo Vespucci's world tour. When Gaetani asks her about rumors "in political circles" about an "affair" with Piantedosi, she hesitates and then responds: "Well, it's something I can't deny, but I'm very private in my private life. Next question." The minister, 62, married to Paola Berardino, prefect of Grosseto, prefers to remain silent so as not to fuel speculation.
Those who spoke to him described him as deeply affected by the situation. "I feel like I'm being hit by a train," he reportedly said. The relationship, it is said, had been known to the government's highest levels for some time, and the minister was advised to end it, partly because the woman's profile was considered "dangerous," and she had reportedly sought support in various ministries. Meanwhile , news is emerging, such as Conte's appointment in February as a "part-time, unpaid" collaborator of the parliamentary commission of inquiry into the suburbs.
But also, Domani reveals, a position in June 2024 at the police training school, which reports directly to the Ministry of the Interior. Ministry sources, Domani reports, claim that Piantedosi knew nothing about this contract. "Claudia Conte's revelations regarding her relationship with Minister Piantedosi are, in any case, very opaque," notes Luana Zanella, AVS group leader in the Chamber of Deputies. "Do you want to disclose something? Why did she need to reveal her relationship, which should be a private matter? We're talking about a crucial institution, the Ministry of the Interior, which cannot be overwhelmed by gossip. The minister should explain the basis for the assignments, including consulting to the Parliamentary Commission on the Suburbs." This is enough to raise a certain alarm at the highest levels of government. No one has forgotten the Sangiuliano-Boccia affair, and the political upheaval of a year and a half ago.
(Unioneonline)
