Nancy Dell'Olio, the former ambassador for Puglia, has taken legal action against Michele Emiliano, the president of the Puglia region, citing broken promises and deceit during her tenure. "They tricked me. There was bad faith," Dell'Olio stated, illustrating her frustration with the governance surrounding her ambassadorship.
The controversy began when Dell'Olio signed her contract on July 8, 2019, ensuring her role as the region’s representative. The agreement was based on the Pugliapromozione initiative, which outlined her responsibilities and the potential renewal of her contract. Despite being reassured repeatedly by regional officials, she found herself working for over 18 months without formal confirmation or renewal of her position.
Dell'Olio recalled the circumstances leading to her hiring, explaining, "It would have been enough to tell me my consultancy was no longer necessary." She expressed anger at the lack of clarity on her role, ostensibly assured of her position by Emiliano’s administration. The ex-ambassador added, "I worked with no contract, blindly trusting promises made to me."
The situation worsened when, by the end of 2020, all contract renewals—hers included—were suddenly and inexplicably halted following the appointment of new leadership by Massimo Bray, the then-assessor for Culture and Tourism. This left Dell'Olio feeling marginalized and abandoned, as she tried to maintain her projects and connections within the tourism sector based on prior agreements.
Despite her best efforts, including sending formal letters of notification to Emiliano and handling various public engagements, Dell'Olio’s attempts to resolve the matter amicably were met with silence. "I sent warnings but received no response. I feel like my contributions to promoting Puglia were taken for granted," she lamented.
Revealing the personal toll this experience has taken, Dell'Olio mentioned having sought neurological care for anxiety and stress relating to the fallout from her expected role collapsing. "I have witnessed this blatant and perpetual impunity and reckless use of power. I felt I had to stand up for myself and for others who may fear speaking out," she declared.
The inquiry also attracted political attention, with several parties commenting on the fallout from the allegations against Emiliano. Notably, Antonella Lella, a member of the Fratelli d’Italia, highlighted the troubling concerns surrounding transparency and accountability within Emiliano’s administration. She stated, "The silence from those who champion women's rights and representation is deafening."
The increasing scrutiny of Emiliano’s handling of the situation emphasizes the broader debate surrounding governance and accountability, particularly related to the treatment of women within the political sphere. Dell'Olio's legal action could serve as both personal resolution and broader symbolic reform aimed at enhancing the governance approach taken by regional leaders.
Moving forward, Dell'Olio expressed her hope for justice and accountability, stating her determination not to be silenced. Citing her experiences, she underscored, "The time has come to break the silence on the abuse of power and demand accountability for all." Her pursuit of legal action signals the start of what promises to be an arduous fight, not only for herself but potentially paving the way for others who feel disenfranchised.
The claim raised against Emiliano marks not just Dell'Olio’s personal battle but also reflects the larger systemic issues women face within political structures, raising significant questions about leadership, integrity, and the necessity for reform.