Claudia Conte returns to Rai Radio1 with animal show amid Piantedosi scandal

Claudia Conte returns to Italy's public broadcaster Rai Radio1 as host of a new weekly programme devoted to animals. The show, titled "Impronte," is set to launch at the end of September and will air on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The appointment revives the controversy that erupted in spring when Conte confirmed a romantic relationship with Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi. The disclosure prompted political debate over the propriety of her roles in public media. Five Star Movement senator Dolores Bevilacqua denounced the decision as a blow to the credibility of the public service, adding to the ongoing scrutiny of Rai's staffing choices.