Italian Transport Minister to Resign over Corruption Allegations

Italian Transport and Infrastructure Minister Maurizio Lupi reports to parliament in Rome, Italy, 18 March 2015. Photo: EPA

Italy's Infrastructure and Transport Minister Maurizio Lupi announced on Thursday that he is to present his resignation to the country's parliament on Friday.

Lupi has been under pressure to resign due to corruption allegations at his ministry involving the awarding of public contracts, ANSA news agency reports.

The minister dismissed accusations that he had asked for favours for his son from one of the former officials arrested in the investigation.

Four people were arrested and dozens placed under investigation on suspicions of rigging EUR 25 B in public contracts for high-speed railway lines, motorways and the forthcoming Milan Expo.

Although Lupi is not charged with anything and is not under investigation, his close ties to members of the alleged corruption ring has forced him to resign, the Financial Times reports.

The main figure in the alleged corruption ring is Ercole Incalza, who had served as point of contact at the ministry for the largest public works.

Since coming into power, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has tried to tackle corruption by passing a law that increases imprisonment sentences and extends the statute of limitations on such crimes.

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