by Ayfer Selamoğlu

It is a famous mythological story depicted in the movie Troy. His mother washed Achilles in the “sacred river” by holding his heel. Achilles, who was bathed in holy water, was not affected by a sword; he was, in a way, immortal. But there was a problem, and that was his heel. That area was his weakest point since his mother held him by his heel. And as we know, the brave warrior Achilles died with an arrow hitting his heel…

There is also Achilles syndrome. Achilles syndrome occurs when people see themselves as perfect and powerful. They think they are Achilles but have strange weaknesses underneath their appearance and mood. Lao Tzu must have said, “He who triumphs over others is strong, and he who triumphs over himself is powerful.”

We saw the last example with the Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano. Although he was a member of the Strega jury, the country’s most prestigious literary award, it turned out that he had not read any of the voted books. He confused the periods in which Christopher Columbus and the famous astronomer and physicist Galileo lived. He confused the order of names and processes that marked the beginning and end of the Italian Renaissance. But what a shame! He was a minister of culture. That’s why he saw himself as powerful…

The 62-year-old married Minister, who suffered from Achilles syndrome, had an affair with a blonde young influencer named Maria Rosaria Boccia, who was 20 years younger than him. This news hit the political arena like a bombshell. When his wife finds out about the affair, The Minister has to cut off contact with his “lover abruptly”. Thereupon, the second woman, abandoned while dreaming of counselling, also took action. He started to hit the Minister in his weak spot with his social media account, which she used like an arrow. The incident grew like a snowball when Boccia announced that Sengiuliano had appointed her as Advisor in Charge of Major Events at the Ministry of Culture.

The ministry first denied Boccia. Thereupon, Boccia made new statements via social media. She continued to publish photos and documents of all the trips she and Sangiuliano took and all the dinners, openings, and events they attended. In response to the question, “Why did he accumulate all these documents?” the Minister said, “No one will pay attention to you anyway.” “I am both a man and a minister!” he said. “I had to keep this documentation to reveal the truth and to protect myself,” she said.

As the scandal grew, new details emerged daily. Minister Sangiuliano admitted in an interview with Rai that he tried to make Boccia his advisor. However, he stated that this appointment was not made due to his colleagues’ reaction. The Minister also claimed that his lover’s expenses at the official events he attended were not paid from the public budget and that he paid these expenses from his pocket.

Sangiuliano, who is married, apologised to his wife for this relationship and said the secret relationship ended at the beginning of August. Apologising to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Sangiuliano announced that he had submitted his resignation, but the Prime Minister rejected it. The Minister’s resignation was announced when this interview gave rise to new discussions, and Boccia continued his statements on social media and in the press.

The Minister’s marriage and love affair could be considered private life. However, the revelation that he included his lover in the public sphere from which he gained power and even tried to make her an advisor caused his resignation.

The Minister, who had Achilles syndrome, was shot in his weakest spot and was both disgraced and unseated for the sake of a woman!

Not only was he shot, but he also damaged the government he was in front of. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who emerged with the claim of a new Italy, a new government, and a new culture, said, “We are writing history. We do not have the luxury of making mistakes or taking the wrong step.” Then, it was announced that Alessandro Giuli was appointed to replace Gennaro Sangiuliano…

A woman not only shot the Achilles heel of a minister who considered himself very powerful but also shook the government that emerged with the motto of a new Italy and a new culture…