ROME – Milan prosecutors have called for a second trial of Italian Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè, accusing her of false accounting at a publishing group she formerly owned. The case is poised to pose a significant challenge for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has thus far stood by Santanchè amid opposition demands for her resignation.
Known for her brash and outspoken style, 63-year-old Santanchè, often referred to as “the pythoness,” is a prominent figure in Meloni’s right-wing cabinet. Prosecutors are seeking to try Santanchè and 16 others for falsifying financial statements at the Visibilia publishing and advertising group between 2016 and 2022.
In addition to the individuals, Visibilia Editore and sister companies Visibilia S.R.L, which is currently under liquidation, and Visibilia Editrice are also facing potential trials on the same charges. Requests for comments from Santanchè and Visibilia’s press offices have gone unanswered. Santanchè has previously denied any wrongdoing.
The decision to proceed with the trial will be made by a pre-trial judge, though no date has been set for the hearing. This request follows an earlier call in May for a trial over alleged benefit fraud at Visibilia during the COVID-19 pandemic. A hearing for that request is scheduled for October 9.
Santanchè served as chair and CEO of Visibilia until November 2021 and remained a major shareholder into 2022, the year she joined the government.