Ticino minister Zali refuses immediate resignation

Ticino government member Claudio Zali will not resign immediately, despite demands from fellow government members and several political parties, SRF reported on Wednesday.

The Lega politician has been at the centre of public and media attention for several weeks, with several criminal proceedings under way against him.

An audio recording published by RSI on July 21 appears to capture Zali urging a friend to hit a stalker, as he said he had done himself. At the end of July, Zali announced his resignation while serving as president of the Ticino cantonal government.

On August 14, the woman who had made the recordings public was found lifeless in Lake Lugano near Melide. She had been the victim of a serious assault 10 days earlier. Ticino cantonal police said they did not believe another person was involved in her death.

A separate criminal case by the Ticino public prosecutor’s office concerns Zali’s alleged intervention on behalf of a minor, the son of a friend. The teenager was allegedly involved in a case of violence and unlawful detention involving another young person.

In response, Zali relinquished political responsibility for justice and police affairs.