Italy’s parliament yesterday postponed a planned vote of no confidence in incoming culture minister and art critic Vittorio Sgarbi, who is being investigated for allegedly laundering 17th-century paintings, infuriating opposition politicians. invited a reaction. The vote is scheduled for February 15, and is expected to ensure Mr. Sgarbi’s political survival for at least two weeks.
Mr. Sgarbi is under investigation by the police on suspicion of obtaining the goods. La Caturra di San Pietro (or The Capture of St. Peter), a 1637-1639 painting, said to have been made by Rutilio Manetti by illegal means, before altering the canvas to conceal its origin. Sugarbi, a prominent TV personality known for his foul-mouthed outbursts, vehemently denied the allegations and vowed to clear his name.
On January 19, a coalition of opposition politicians filed a motion of no confidence against Culture Ministry officials. Leaders of Italy’s lower house of parliament debated the motion yesterday before Speaker Lorenzo Fontana, an ally of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, announced that a vote would be held on February 15. Italy’s competition regulator, Antitrust Law, is expected to announce the results of a separate investigation focusing on Mr. Sgarbi by the same day.
Opposition parties accused the government of cowardice. Francesco Silvestri, leader of the House of Commons Five Star Movement, said: “The majority rejected our request to vote on Mr. Sgarbi’s motion to revoke the motion,” adding, “They have rejected Mr. It’s hidden,” he said. [favourable] This is an antitrust ruling designed to avoid political judgment. ” The Italian right-wing coalition holds 237 of the 400 seats in the lower house of parliament.
Following a complaint by Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, antitrust authorities in October launched an investigation into Sgarbi for violating conflict of interest laws after he allegedly accepted payments for lectures, book presentations, and cultural initiatives. did. Mr Sgarbi has repeatedly challenged Mr San Giuliano and other ministers since his appointment 15 months ago, claiming in November in a speech in Soncino, near Cremona, that “nine tenths of the people.” [currently] The government is incompetent. ”
Asked to comment on Sgarbi’s future in October, Meloni told reporters: “We will wait to see how the antitrust laws respond before evaluating the case.” “The law must be applied, but we need trials that are not conducted by third parties,” San Giuliano said last month. [Meloni] However, it depends on the judge. ”
Judges on Tuesday ordered Mr Sgarbi to pay 2,000 euros to former Rome mayor Virginia Raggi for libel for implying collusion with the mafia. Also on Tuesday, Mr. Sgarbi filed a complaint against public broadcaster Rai, which recently broadcast a televised investigation into the official’s alleged art crimes, to pay him 5 million euros in damages. The board of the Canova Foundation, which runs the Gypsoteca and Canova Museum in Possagno, has decided not to renew Mr. Sgabri’s contract as president, newspapers reported yesterday.