Salvini justified his absence by saying that, if he went to the ceremony, the local press “would criticize him”
Gianmarco Centinaio, Italy's Minister of Agriculture and Tourism, will represent his country on January 1, 2019, when President-elect Jair Bolsonaro will be sworn in.
The Italian belongs to the Northern League party, the same as Vice-Premier Matteo Salvini, with whom Bolsonaro often exchanges praise on social media.
Salvini made a point of publicly supporting Bolsonaro during Brazil's elections and celebrating the PSL candidate's victory when it came. However, the decision to send Centinaio to the inauguration ceremony was made at a cabinet meeting after Salvini said he would not attend in person to avoid criticism from the press.
Six months after taking office, Salvini has faced harsh criticism over issues such as immigration and Italy's fiscal adjustment.
