Minister Lollobrigida Delays Train for Late Arrival

In Italy, there is a growing outcry over a high-speed train that was further delayed due to an additional unscheduled stop for Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida. The opposition is now demanding his resignation.

Lollobrigida, who is the brother-in-law of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has come under heavy criticism for the incident. The delayed Frecciarossa high-speed train, comparable to Germany’s ICE (InterCityExpress), was halted on its journey from Rome to Naples, with an already substantial delay of nearly two hours. This stop was specifically ordered to allow the minister, from the right-wing party Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy), to transfer to a car that would take him to his next appointment.

Although Lollobrigida defended the decision by claiming that the train’s delay of 111 minutes did not solely warrant the stop, as other passengers could also take advantage of disembarking at the small town of Ciampino near Rome, it has been revealed that only one or two of his staff members actually got off the train, according to a report by the newspaper “Fatto Quotidiano.” The extra stop, which garnered public attention, did not generate any further delays or additional costs, according to the railway.

Lollobrigida, 51, has been serving as the Minister of Agriculture in the Italian government since the electoral success of the right-wing party a year ago. As he is married to the sister of Prime Minister Meloni, there are now calls from the opposition for his resignation.