Sergio Mattarella

Sergio Mattarella is an Italian jurist, academic, and statesman who has served as the President of Italy since 2015. Elected by the Parliament of Italy during the Presidency of Giorgio Napolitano, he is known as a unifying figure who emphasizes constitutional values, European integration, and social cohesion. His tenure, marked by significant political instability including multiple changes in government from Matteo Renzi to Giorgia Meloni, has seen him play a crucial stabilizing role as a guarantor of the Constitution of Italy.

Early life and education

Born in Palermo in 1941, he is the son of Bernardo Mattarella, a prominent Christian Democratic politician who served as a minister in several governments. His brother, Piersanti Mattarella, was the President of the Region of Sicily until his assassination by the Sicilian Mafia in 1980. He attended the Liceo Classico Giovanni Meli before moving to Rome to study law at the Sapienza University of Rome, graduating with honors. He later became a professor of parliamentary law at the University of Palermo, focusing his academic work on constitutional and legislative processes.

Political career

His political career began within the Christian Democracy, and he was first elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 1983, representing a constituency in Sicily. He served as Minister for Relations with Parliament under Prime Minister Bettino Craxi and was a key figure in drafting important legislation, including the Mattarella Law of 1993 which reformed the Italian electoral system. Following the dissolution of the Christian Democrats, he helped found the Italian People's Party and later The Daisy, serving as Deputy Prime Minister under Giuliano Amato and later as Minister of Education. From 2006 to 2008, he was the Minister of Defence in the Romano Prodi government, overseeing Italy's military missions in Afghanistan and Lebanon. In 2011, he was appointed a Judge of the Constitutional Court by the Parliament of Italy.

Presidency

Elected President in 2015 on the fourth ballot with broad support from parties including the Democratic Party and Forza Italia, his presidency has been characterized by careful adherence to constitutional norms during periods of political crisis. He has overseen the formation of numerous governments, including those led by Paolo Gentiloni, Giuseppe Conte, and technocrat Mario Draghi. A steadfast proponent of the European Union, he has addressed the European Parliament and emphasized Italy's role within NATO. In 2022, he was re-elected for an unprecedented second term with overwhelming support from a grand coalition in parliament, following the failure of parties to agree on a successor during the 2022 Italian presidential election.

Personal life

He was married to Marisa Chiazzese, a teacher and daughter of a University of Palermo law professor, from 1966 until her death in 2012. The couple had three children: Laura, Francesco, and Bernardo Giorgio. A private individual, he is known for his deep Catholic faith and his dedication to public service, influences often attributed to his family's tragic experience with Mafia violence. He maintains a residence in Palermo and the official quarters at the Quirinal Palace.

Honors and awards

As President, he is the Grand Master of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and several other Italian orders of chivalry. He has received numerous state decorations from foreign nations, including the Legion of Honour from France, the Order of the White Eagle from Poland, and the Order of the Republic from Serbia. Academic institutions such as the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the University of Buenos Aires have awarded him honorary degrees in law and political science.

Category:Presidents of Italy Category:1941 births Category:Living people