Giorgia Meloni, the leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy party and the first female prime minister of Italy, has announced her separation from her long-time partner Andrea Giambruno, a television journalist who has been accused of making sexist and lewd remarks to his female colleagues.

Meloni, who took office in June 2023 after forming a coalition with Matteo Salvini’s League and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia, posted a message on her social media accounts on Friday, saying that her relationship with Giambruno, which lasted almost 10 years, had ended.

“Our paths have been different for some time… it’s time to acknowledge it,” she wrote. She also thanked Giambruno for the “wonderful years we spent together, for the difficulties we went through and for giving me the most important thing in my life, our daughter Ginevra”.

She added: “All those who sought to weaken me by striking my family should know that even if a water drop can hope to break a rock, a rock will always be a rock while a drop is just water.”

The announcement came hours after a satirical TV programme, Striscia La Notizia, broadcast explicit comments made off-air by Giambruno to his female co-workers, in which he appeared to flirt with them, boast about having an affair and make crude references to group sex.

Giambruno, who works for Mediaset, the TV company owned by Berlusconi, had already faced criticism in August for his on-air comments on a gang-rape case, in which he suggested that women should avoid getting drunk and losing consciousness to prevent being assaulted.

Meloni had defended Giambruno at the time, saying that his words had been misinterpreted and asking reporters not to hold her accountable for what a journalist says while doing his job. She also said that she did not want to comment on her private life and that she was focused on her work as prime minister.

However, the latest scandal involving Giambruno seems to have been the last straw for Meloni, who decided to end their relationship and distance herself from his behaviour. Giambruno has not yet spoken publicly about the split or his off-air remarks.

Meloni’s decision has been met with mixed reactions in Italy. Some have praised her for her courage and dignity, while others have questioned her judgment and credibility as a leader. Some have also pointed out the irony of Meloni’s strong stance on traditional Catholic family values and her opposition to same-sex parenting.

Meloni’s allies have expressed their support and solidarity with her. Salvini, her deputy prime minister and interior minister, tweeted: “A big hug, my friendship and support. Go forward, head held high!” Berlusconi, who has also faced several scandals involving women in the past, said: “I respect Giorgia’s choice and I am close to her in this difficult moment.”

Meloni is one of the most popular politicians in Italy, with an approval rating of over 50%. She is also seen as a potential candidate for the presidency of the European Commission in 2024. Her personal crisis comes at a time when Italy is facing several challenges, such as the economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, the migration crisis and the rise of populism and extremism.