** Italy’s Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, has defended the use of his security detail to accompany his wife and seven-year-old son through Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, following criticism sparked by a video from actor Luca Zingaretti. The video alleged a politician’s wife skipped airport queues with an escort.
Urso explained to *Repubblica* that he escorted his family to check-in before attending a ministerial meeting on the Ilva steel plant agreement. “It is the security team’s duty to assess safety conditions,” Urso stated, expressing regret if the incident caused inconvenience and emphasizing such behaviour is not his style. He added he was unaware of any disruption as he was on the phone: “I was next to my wife, albeit on the phone. To be precise, I was carrying her suitcase.”
In a subsequent letter to *Repubblica’s* editor, published online, Urso revealed a grave justification for the heightened security: a death threat against his wife. He disclosed that on October 27, 2023, his ministry (Mimit) received a threatening letter containing two bullets. The letter explicitly referenced targeting his wife if he did not alter his stance on confidential “golden power” institutional procedures concerning foreign investments.
“The threatening letter referenced decisions previously taken, claiming knowledge of our residence and frequented locations, along with other disturbing elements,” Urso wrote. This prompted him to file a confidential report with the Carabinieri’s Rome Provincial Command to allow judicial authorities to investigate discreetly. “Precisely because of this,” Urso concluded, “my wife and I decided to maintain particular discretion and caution. I trust you will understand.” The minister linked this threat directly to the necessity of the security escort seen at the airport.