The scandal involving the former Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano, and his “emotional relationship” with Maria Rosaria Boccia has caused a stir in Italy. This incident has led to Sangiuliano’s resignation and has also resulted in a series of lawsuits that may end up in court. Despite being labeled as gossip by the government, the affair has captured the attention of Italians, who are glued to their smartphones in the post-holiday period. Maria Rosaria Boccia’s Instagram account, a businesswoman from Pompei, has seen a surge in followers, reaching 121K total followers with 90K gained in a week. SocialData, a data analysis company, estimates that Boccia could potentially earn up to 20,000 euros per month if she becomes an influencer, posting an average of 20 pieces of content monthly.
From August 26 to September 7, there have been 46K mentions and over 15 million interactions on the web and social media platforms regarding the Boccia-Sangiuliano affair. The overall sentiment around the issue is predominantly negative, with 62% of users expressing negative opinions. The sentiment towards the individuals involved is also negative, with Sangiuliano at 59% and Maria Rosaria Boccia at 67%. The majority of conversations have taken place on Facebook (68%), driven by news coverage (18%), followed by other platforms like X (4%), Instagram (2%), and TikTok (2%). Keywords related to the scandal such as “Sangiuliano” and “Boccia” have been prominent, along with terms like “minister,” “resignation,” and “government” highlighting the institutional impact of the controversy.
A sentiment analysis conducted by SocialData shows that users have expressed annoyance and negativity towards the Boccia-Sangiuliano affair since August 26, with over 15 million interactions recorded. While the scandal had a significant online presence, it was not as prominent in the top 50 posts for engagement on social media platforms in Italy. Instead, discussions mainly revolved around sports (football, Formula 1, Paralympics), entertainment (Venice Film Festival, upcoming movies), and holiday themes. Meanwhile, Maria Rosaria Boccia’s Instagram profile continues to grow rapidly, both in terms of followers and potential economic value associated with it.
Overall, the public reaction to the Boccia-Sangiuliano affair has been intense, with users expressing strong negative sentiments towards both parties involved. The scandal has sparked widespread discussions on social media platforms, with a significant number of interactions reflecting the public’s discomfort with the situation. Despite not being as prominent in the top engagement posts, the scandal has had a notable impact on online conversations. As Maria Rosaria Boccia’s Instagram account gains more followers and potential economic value, the fallout from the controversy continues to unfold, raising questions about the intersection of personal relationships, politics, and social media in the digital age.
