Italy’s ‘first gentleman’ backs lesbians in Peppa Pig
Partner of Pm-in-waiting Meloni supports LGBT characters after criticism of show from hard-right
GIORGIA MELONI’S long-time partner has said he has no problem with children being raised by two mothers, in contrast to hardliners in her party who were incensed over a Peppa Pig episode that featured lesbian polar bears.
Federico Mollicone, the culture spokesman of the hard-right Brothers of Italy, called for the programme not to be shown earlier this month by the state broadcaster, saying it amounted to “gender indoctrination”.
In the episode, the polar bears’ daughter says: “I live with mummy and my other mummy.”
But Andrea Giambruno, Ms Meloni’s partner, said in his first interview since she triumphed in Sunday’s election that he would be open to letting their sixyear-old daughter watch the episode – while denying being “on the Left” himself.
He told the newspaper Corriere della Sera: “I would let her watch it and if she asked why there were two mummies, I would explain it to her. But it’s one thing for a choice to be explained by a parent, it’s quite another to force the concept on people.”
With Ms Meloni, 45, set to become Italy’s first female prime minister, Mr Giambruno is on the cusp of becoming the country’s first “first gentleman” or perhaps “first partner” – the nomenclature has not been agreed on. Their daughter is their only child and they are not married, despite Ms Meloni’s promotion of traditional families.
Asked if he would live in Palazzo Chigi, the official premier’s residence in the capital, he said: “I really don’t think so. Do you think we could really could bring up a six-year-old in a Versaillestype palace? We already have a house.”
Mr Giambruno, 41, appeared more moderate in his political views than his partner, who in her youth praised Mussolini and now rails against “the violence of Islam”, “LGBT lobbies”, gender ideology and mass immigration.
Ms Meloni has claimed that her partner is Left-wing but he said that was a misconception, adding: “That was a joke. I’m not on the Left, it’s just that we have divergent opinions on ethical issues like assisted suicide.”
The couple met eight years ago when Ms Meloni did a television interview at the channel where Mr Giambruno works. During a commercial break, she started eating a banana, but as the programme was about to go back on air, he rushed over and grabbed it from her. “The last thing we needed was her going live with a banana in her hand. Our eyes met in a strange way, it was just a fleeting moment,” he said.
Ms Meloni and her party have begun forming a government with Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party and the hardright League, led by Matteo Salvini.
Mr Salvini wants to be made interior minister but his party’s dismal performance in the election, taking just 9 per cent of votes, means he may have to be content with a more junior role.
Negotiations between the allies will be followed by consultations with Sergio Mattarella, Italy’s president.
Brothers of Italy has no experience of governing at the national level but faces a formidable set of challenges, from the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine to a huge public debt and soaring inflation.
Amid international concerns about the pro-moscow stance of Mr Berlusconi and Mr Salvini, Ms Meloni tweeted a message to Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s leader, assuring him that Italian military and diplomatic support would continue. She wrote: “You know that you can count on our loyal support for the cause of freedom of Ukrainian people. Stay strong and keep your faith steadfast!”