Federica Mogherini

Federica Mogherini
Name	Federica Mogherini
Caption	Mogherini in 2014
Office	High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Term start	1 November 2014
Term end	30 November 2019
President	Donald Tusk, Jean-Claude Juncker
Predecessor	Catherine Ashton
Successor	Josep Borrell
Office1	Minister of Foreign Affairs
Primeminister1	Matteo Renzi
Term start1	22 February 2014
Term end1	31 October 2014
Predecessor1	Emma Bonino
Successor1	Paolo Gentiloni
Birth date	16 June 1973
Birth place	Rome, Italy
Party	Democratic Party
Alma mater	Sapienza University of Rome
Spouse	Matteo Rebesani

Federica Mogherini is an Italian politician who served as the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy from 2014 to 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously held the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs in the government of Matteo Renzi. During her tenure in Brussels, she played a central role in shaping the European Union's response to major international crises, including the war in Donbas, the Iran nuclear deal, and the European migrant crisis.

Early life and education

Born on 16 June 1973 in Rome, she is the daughter of Flavio Mogherini, a noted film director and set designer. She developed an early interest in international affairs and political science, which led her to study at the Sapienza University of Rome. There, she graduated with a degree in Political Science, completing a thesis on the relationship between Islam and politics. Her academic work included a period of research at the Institut d'Études Politiques d'Aix-en-Provence in France, further broadening her perspective on European integration and global relations.

Political career in Italy

Her political engagement began within the ranks of the Italian Communist Youth Federation, the youth wing of the former Italian Communist Party. She later joined the Democrats of the Left and was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in the 2008 general election. She quickly rose through party ranks, serving as head of the Italian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and later as Secretary of the Defence Committee in the Chamber. In 2014, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi appointed her as Minister of Foreign Affairs, a role where she immediately focused on Libya and the Middle East.

High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

In August 2014, the European Council, led by President Herman Van Rompuy, nominated her to succeed Catherine Ashton as the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Confirmed by the European Parliament, she assumed the role on 1 November 2014, also becoming a Vice-President of the European Commission under President Jean-Claude Juncker. Her mandate was dominated by managing the European Union's diplomacy during the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, the negotiation and implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran, and the coordination of the EU Global Strategy. She also oversaw the expansion of Common Security and Defence Policy missions and navigated complex relations with Turkey and the United States during the Presidency of Donald Trump.

Post-EU political activities

After leaving the European Commission in 2019, she assumed the role of Rector of the College of Europe in Bruges, a prestigious postgraduate institute specializing in European studies. She remains a prominent commentator on international affairs, serving as a Senior Fellow at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies and participating in high-level forums like the Munich Security Conference and the Brussels Forum. She also chairs the European Union Institute for Security Studies Board of Governors and is a member of the United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism.

Political positions and views

A committed Atlanticist and European federalist, she has consistently advocated for a stronger, more cohesive European Union capable of autonomous strategic action. She is a strong supporter of multilateral diplomacy, as evidenced by her staunch defense of the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris Agreement. Her foreign policy outlook emphasizes dialogue, conflict prevention, and the linkage between security and development, often focusing on the Mediterranean region and the Sahel. She has been critical of nationalist and populist movements within Europe, arguing they undermine the European project and global cooperation.

Personal life

She is married to Matteo Rebesani, a former local politician in Lazio, and they have two daughters. An avid reader, her interests include history and philosophy, and she is known to be a fan of the AS Roma football club. She is fluent in Italian, English, and French, with a working knowledge of Spanish.

Category:Italian politicians Category:High Representatives of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Category:1973 births