'I Shall Defend Our Friendship': Italy PM Giorgia Meloni Announces Split With Partner Over Sexist Remarks

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni took to her social media accounts to share that she had separated from her partner of 10 years — journalist Andrea Giambruno.

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni (right) and her former partner journalist Andrea Giambruno.

Source : Getty Images

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Friday that she has officially parted ways with her partner television journalist Andrea Giambruno. The announcement came amid mounting criticism for his recent "sexist remarks" both on and off the air, reported news agency Reuters.

Meloni took to her social media accounts to share the news, stating, "My relationship with Andrea Giambruno, which lasted almost 10 years, ends here. Our paths have diverged for some time, and the time has come to acknowledge it." The couple shares a seven-year-old daughter.

Giambruno, who hosts a news programme on Mediaset, a part of the MFE media group owned by the late Silvio Berlusconi's heirs, has faced public backlash this week. Another Mediaset show aired off-air excerpts from Giambruno's programme, revealing instances of foul language and inappropriate advances towards a female colleague, reported Reuters.

In one excerpt, he is heard saying, "Why didn't I meet you before?" The second, more explicit recording aired on Thursday featured Giambruno boasting about an affair and suggesting female colleagues could work for him if they participated in group sex.

This isn't the first time Giambruno has come under fire. In August, he faced widespread criticism for apparent victim-blaming comments following a gang rape case. During his programme, he stated, "If you go dancing, you have every right to get drunk — there shouldn't be any kind of misunderstanding and any kind of problem. But if you avoid getting drunk and losing your senses, you might also avoid running into certain problems and coming across a wolf."

Following the August incident, Meloni emphasized that she should not be judged for her partner's comments and declared that she would refrain from answering questions about his behaviour in the future.