Plans to hold Salone del Mobile this September have been thrown into fresh doubt following the resignation of the fair's president, Claudio Luti.
According to reports in the Italian press, Luti stepped down amid fears that this year's fair would be diminished due to fewer exhibitors and attendees.
Common purpose "has failed"
Luti, pictured above at the press conference for the 2020 fair which was later cancelled, reportedly cited a lack of unity amid the ongoing pandemic.
"The common will of purpose [...] has failed," he said.
The furniture fair is due to be held in Milan from 5 to 10 September, after it was moved from its traditional April slot due to Covid-19.
However, doubts have been swirling in recent weeks over whether the fair would be forced to cancel for a second year in succession. Resignation "a painful choice"
"Leaving the presidency of the Salone in such a delicate and complex moment is a [..] painful choice," La Reppublica reported Luti as saying.
"Over the years I have worked hard to affirm the event as a representation of the system at an international level, but there are no longer the conditions to pursue my vision of compactness in the sector for the common good."
Luti resigned on Thursday ahead of a board meeting of FederlegnoArredo, the Italian timber-trade body that owns the Salone del Mobile brand.
His departure comes just a few days after the Italian government announced plans to lift some Covid-19 re...