ROME: Italian Transport Minister Maurizio Lupi resisted opposition politicians’ calls to resign after his name was linked to suspects who allegedly paid bribes to take part in flagship projects from high-speed trains to the Milan Expo world fair.
A businessman arrested by investigators gave a job and a 10,350-euro ($11,000) Rolex watch as a graduation present to Lupi’s son, according to judicial documents. Neither Lupi nor his son is under investigation, and the minister has denied any wrongdoing.
“I did nothing wrong or irresponsible,” Lupi, of the coalition partner New Center-Right party, told reporters on Wednesday. “If the opposite were to be demonstrated I will resign.”
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, 40, came to power over a year ago pledging to stamp out corruption in politics and business as part of his plan to revive the Italian economy. The country is still mired in its longest recession since World War II while unemployment was stuck at 12.6 percent in January.
Protesters shouted “Resign, Shame” at Lupi during a Wednesday visit to the site of the Expo, which begins in May.
A day earlier, Renzi urged Lupi to step down, the Rome newspaper La Repubblica said. Renzi’s office said it could not confirm or deny the report.
