- Venice's mayor under pressure over corruption
The Mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, is increasingly under pressure due to a corruption scandal at the city hall of the Italian lagoon city. All demands for his resignation were rejected by the right-wing politician during a tumultuous city council meeting. The public prosecutor's office is investigating the 62-year-old for bribery suspicions against his administration, as well as for a plot of land that belongs to him personally. Brugnaro had been in the news worldwide in recent months due to the introduction of an entry fee for Venice.
In the city council, the mayor dismissed all allegations. "I haven't done anything wrong," said Brugnaro. "I will fight for my honor." More than 20 suspects are being investigated in total, including his chief of staff. The transport director, Renato Boraso, a close friend of Brugnaro's, was even arrested last month. More than two million euros were seized from him, the origin of which is unclear.
Land worth 150 million euros
Brugnaro has been in office since 2015. The businessman is close to the right-wing government party Forza Italia. The investigations also concern a plot of land at the entrance to the lagoon on the mainland, which he bought a few years ago for five million euros. It is now said to be worth 150 million euros. According to Italian media reports, a wealthy investor from Singapore is interested, who, with the mayor's consent, bought a palace on the Grand Canal in 2018 at a relatively favorable price and turned it into a luxury hotel. It is now being examined whether there is a connection.
The recording of a telephone conversation between the mayor and the transport director from March 2023, which is dangerous for Brugnaro, was also secured during the investigations. In it, he can be heard scolding his confidant and sounding involved. Word for word, the mayor says: "You don't listen to me. You understand nothing. People tell me you're asking for money. You don't seem to understand. You're taking too many risks. I tell you: You have to be careful and get a better grip on yourself."
International attention through entry fee
Through the entry fee for day tourists, Brugnaro also gained international attention in recent months. On a total of 29 selected days, short-term visitors had to pay five euros for their stay in Venice in a globally unique experiment. Next year, the fee is to be increased to up to ten euros.
Despite the corruption scandal engulfing him, Brugnaro continues to assert his innocence, stating during a council meeting, "I haven't done anything wrong, I will fight for my honor." The investigation by the public prosecutor's office also involves a plot of land Brugnaro bought for five million euros, now estimated to be worth 150 million euros, attracting international interest in the news.
