ROME – Andrea Giambruno, the partner of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has defended the Prime Minister’s decision to issue a video, declaring the passing of new measures to reduce unemployment, instead of transmitting the message through a traditional press conference. 

 In the controversial Council of Ministers which convened on Monday, the equally controversial Labour Decree was approved. The measures were not explained by the Prime Minister in a press conference, but Meloni preferred to post a video on her social media channels, avoiding journalists' questions.

 Giambruno showed the video on his television show, Diario del Giorno, which caused further controversy. 

 “I do this for a living and I am not a robot. I don't find it right that other colleagues take it upon themselves to explain to me how to run a programme. Now, I understand that I am Giorgia's partner, but it was not a video of my grandmother: it was of the Prime Minister. I make a technical judgement, not a political one: it was a good move.”

 Faced with theories that it was himself that advised Meloni to make this move, Giambruno responded in an interview with Il Foglio. 

 “No, Giorgia has a communication that works very well and she came up with this stunt that has split the party. She should also have been asked questions by journalists, don't you think?”

cw