Venice mayor forced to quit as bribery fiasco worsens

Venice’s mayor resigned under pressure yesterday, a day after being freed from house arrest under a plea deal linked to a bribery scandal involving the construction of underwater barriers to protect the city from flooding.

The scandal centred on the €5bn Moses project is just one of several kickback probes in recent weeks that have piled pressure on Prime Minister Matteo Renzi to tackle Italy’s endemic corruption, which has deterred international investment and eroded public trust.

His government was expected to enhance powers of the newly appointed anti-corruption czar last night, followed by a new anti-corruption law in a few weeks.