Attilio Fontana

Attilio Fontana
Name	Attilio Fontana
Office	President of Lombardy
Term start	26 March 2018
Predecessor	Roberto Maroni
Birth date	28 March 1952
Birth place	Varese, Lombardy, Italy
Party	Lega Nord
Alma mater	University of Milan

Attilio Fontana is an Italian politician and jurist who has served as President of Lombardy since 2018. He is associated with regionalist and conservative currents in Italian politics, having held municipal, provincial, and regional roles, and has a professional background in civil law and notarial practice.

Early life and education

Born in Varese in 1952, Fontana grew up in Lombardy amid postwar Italian reconstruction and the regional dynamics of Lombardy and the Province of Varese. He attended the University of Milan, where he studied law and graduated in civil law, interacting with academic circles tied to the Italian Republic, Italian legal scholarship, and regional legal institutions. During his student years he came into contact with movements and figures associated with the rise of Lega Nord and the shifting political landscape that included actors such as Umberto Bossi and later Matteo Salvini.

Legal and professional career

After earning his degree from the University of Milan, Fontana qualified as a lawyer and notary, practicing in the courts and chambers of Varese and the broader Lombardy region. He served in professional associations linked to the Italian notarial profession and engaged with legal networks connected to the Consiglio Nazionale Forense and regional bar associations. His legal practice brought him into contact with municipal administrations like the Municipality of Varese, provincial institutions such as the Province of Varese, and regional authorities in Milan, where civil litigation, property law, and contract disputes intersected with administrative actors.

Political career

Fontana began his political activity in local government, serving on municipal councils in Varese and participating in provincial bodies of the Province of Varese. He rose within the regional structures of Lega Nord, aligning with leaders from the party's federal and regional wings including figures like Roberto Maroni and later national leaders from the party. Fontana stood in regional elections for the Regional Council of Lombardy and served as a councillor and assessor in administrations that interacted with ministries in Rome, regional assemblies, and political groups across the spectrum such as Forza Italia, Partito Democratico, and the Movimento 5 Stelle.

Presidency of Lombardy

Elected President of Lombardy in March 2018, Fontana succeeded Roberto Maroni and led the regional executive through multiple administrations and crises involving institutions like the European Union, the Italian Republic, and transnational bodies. His presidency dealt with regional competences concerning health services administered by Azienda Regionale per i Servizi Sanitari (ARSS) units, infrastructure projects connected to the Milan metropolitan area, and coordination with national ministries in Rome during emergencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his government engaged with agencies including the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, the Protezione Civile, and regional health authorities, prompting interactions with other presidents of regions such as those from Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, and Campania.

Political positions and controversies

Fontana articulated positions on immigration, federalism, fiscal autonomy, and cultural identity that aligned with the platform of Lega Nord and resonated with leaders like Matteo Salvini and proponents of regional autonomy such as Roberto Maroni. His statements and policy choices sparked controversies involving national media outlets including RAI and private broadcasters, legal scrutiny in courts such as those in Milan and Varese, and criticism from political opponents in Partito Democratico, Movimento 5 Stelle, and civil society organizations. High-profile disputes encompassed debates over regional procurement, public health procurement involving regional agencies, remarks interpreted in the context of Italy's relations with the European Union and international partners, and judicial inquiries that engaged prosecutors and tribunals at the provincial and regional levels.

Personal life and honors

Fontana's personal life has been situated in Varese and the Lombard cultural milieu, with ties to local institutions, professional associations, and civic organizations. He has received recognitions and interacted with orders and honors associated with Italian institutional ceremonies, municipal acknowledgments, and regional commendations linked to the Region of Lombardy and municipal councils. His network includes contacts across parties and institutions such as Forza Italia, Fratelli d'Italia, regional associations, and professional legal bodies in Milan and Varese.

Category:1952 births Category:People from Varese Category:Presidents of Lombardy Category:Italian politicians