The government has always made “joint decisions” on all matters, including sensitive cases like Almasri, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asserted. Her statement came in response to a social media outburst where she expressed fury upon receiving a ministerial tribunal communication. While her own position in the case was dismissed (“archiviata”), the tribunal, she deduced from the decree in her possession, is likely to request parliamentary authorization to proceed against Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, and Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano.
Meloni attacked the decision as “absurd,” particularly because it was based on the premise that she had not been “previously informed” by her ministers. She vowed to sit “alongside them when Parliament” votes on the authorization request.
The day had begun with Meloni flying by helicopter to Ancona to celebrate Deputy PM Antonio Tajani’s birthday, presenting him with Tunisian sweets gifted by President Kais Saied. It continued with praise for the Marche region’s spirit, a visit to the Pedemontana construction site, and handshakes. Then came the surprise announcement, alongside Marche Governor Francesco Acquaroli (seeking re-election in September), of extending the Special Economic Zone (ZES) to Umbria and Marche. Efforts were made to frame this as “institutional,” evidenced by the presence of centre-left Provincial President Daniele Carnevali.
However, League leader Matteo Salvini’s video-link comment – “We will win in Marche, and not because of investigations” – revealed the government trip’s underlying purpose: endorsing Acquaroli’s campaign. Oppositions immediately branded it an “electoral spot,” noting the ZES extension requires parliamentary approval. “Afraid of losing, so here comes the ZES,” summarized Matteo Renzi. The Democratic Party, led by challenger Matteo Ricci, urged the government to now allocate adequate resources should the measure pass.
Back in Rome, Meloni attended a cabinet meeting discussion on wine and received a wedding invitation from Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli. Then came the second, bitter announcement: dismissal for her, but a request to proceed against the other ministers.
The Prime Minister stated the decree claims she was “‘not previously informed and did not share the decision taken,’ thus not strengthening ‘the criminal plan.'” Essentially, it alleges “two authoritative Ministers and the Undersecretary I delegated for intelligence acted on such a serious matter without sharing their decisions with me.” Meloni dismissed this as “patently absurd,” countering: “Unlike some predecessors who distanced themselves from ministers in similar situations, I affirm this Government acts cohesively under my leadership.” This jab targeted Giuseppe Conte and the Diciotti ship incident, a point Salvini reinforced online, mocking Conte and former minister Toninelli’s “I don’t recall” statements about migrant landings.
Meloni reiterated “the correctness of the entire government’s actions, guided solely by protecting Italians’ security.” Opposition party Avs (Green-Left Alliance) countered that the true absurdity was “freeing a rapist, including of children, a murderer, a human trafficker,” as Angelo Bonelli put it, urging the government “not to hide behind immunity” and allow a trial.