Aldo Moro Prime Minister of Italy in 1963-1969 and 1974-1976, Christian Democrat. Date of Birth: 23.09.1916 Country: Italy

Biography of Aldo Moro

Aldo Moro was an Italian Christian Democrat who served as the Prime Minister of Italy from 1963 to 1969 and again from 1974 to 1976. He was born in 1916 in Maglie, Italy, to parents who were educators. Despite the political climate under the rule of Benito Mussolini, Moro's political career began during fascism.

Moro studied at the university, where he became a leader in the movement called the "Federation of Catholic Students." In 1946, he was elected as a deputy to the "Constituent Assembly" and became a member of the "Commission 75," which was responsible for drafting the constitution. He later became the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs in the fifth cabinet of Alcide De Gasperi. Moro, however, opposed Italy's joining NATO and instead advocated for collaboration with left-wing parties.

During Moro's tenure as Prime Minister, he led the Christian Democratic Party. His first center-left cabinet included socialist members, and in the 1970s, he proposed the "Historical Compromise," a project aimed at allowing communists to be part of the government. This was an unprecedented step in Western countries, as communists had been absent from government positions in most NATO countries since the late 1940s. The communists received one-third of the votes.

On March 15, 1978, Moro was kidnapped by the Red Brigades, a militant group. His car was forced off the road, and he was taken in an unknown direction. The search for Moro involved 35,000 soldiers, and checkpoints were set up everywhere. The organization presented political demands and agreed to release Moro upon their fulfillment. Pope Paul VI even offered himself as a hostage in exchange for Moro's release.

There are alternative theories regarding Moro's murder. According to one, neo-fascists from the Masonic lodge "Propaganda Due" were the organizers. There are also versions that suggest the involvement of the CIA, as the United States did not want Italy to shift to the left politically. On May 9, 1978, Moro's body was found in the trunk of a red Renault parked between the headquarters of two major political parties in Rome.