Italy's Meloni picks new tourism minister in shake-up after referendum


FILE PHOTO: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni looks on as she waits for the arrival of President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, at Chigi Palace, in Rome, Italy, February 26, 2026. REUTERS/Remo Casilli/File Photo

ROME, April ⁠3 (Reuters) - Italy's culture undersecretary Gianmarco ⁠Mazzi was sworn in on Friday ‌as the country's new tourism minister, the latest change in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's ​government after her defeat ⁠in a referendum ⁠on judicial reform.

Former television and entertainment ⁠executive Mazzi ‌replaces Daniela Santanche, who is facing trial over ⁠accounting charges linked to a publishing ​group ‌she previously owned and resigned from ⁠her ministry ​post last week under pressure from Meloni.

Meloni wrote on her X ⁠social media account that Mazzi's ​background in the culture and entertainment sector would be an asset for ⁠Italy, posting a photograph of the swearing-in ceremony with President Sergio Mattarella.

Since last week's referendum defeat, Meloni ​has sought to reassert ⁠control by removing scandal-plagued figures from ​her government. Two ‌senior justice ministry officials ​have also stepped down.

(Reporting by Angelo AmanteEditing by David Goodman)

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