 |
Antonio TajaniDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy from 22 October 2022
Date of Birth: 04.08.1953
Country:  Italy |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Professional Journalism
- Early Political Involvement
- Member of Parliament and Minister
- European Parliament
- European Commission
- President of the European Parliament
- Return to the European Parliament and Presidency of AFCO
- Political Views and Statements
- Vice-Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
- International Experience
Early Life and Education
Born into a military family in Rome, Antonio Tajani was the only child of an army officer and a teacher. He graduated in law from the University of La Sapienza in Rome and served as an air defense radar officer in the Army in San Giovanni Teatino.
Professional Journalism
Tajani became a professional journalist in 1980, working as a parliamentary reporter and editor for the magazine Il Settimanale. He also anchored programs for RAI and headed the Rome office of the newspaper Il Giornale, collaborating with Indro Montanelli. Tajani served as a special correspondent in Lebanon, the Soviet Union, and Somalia.
Early Political Involvement
In his youth, Tajani was the deputy secretary of the Youth Monarchist Front, the youth organization of the Italian Monarchist Union. He joined Silvio Berlusconi's political movement, Forza Italia, in 1993 and became a member of its board of directors and regional coordinator in Lazio.
Member of Parliament and Minister
Tajani was elected to the Italian Parliament in 1996 and served as the spokesperson for the Prime Minister in Berlusconi's first government. In 1996, he unsuccessfully ran for Parliament, losing to the center-left coalition. In 2001, he ran for mayor of Rome on the center-right House of Freedoms coalition but lost to the center-left candidate.
European Parliament
Tajani was elected to the European Parliament in 1994 and served as the president of Forza Italia's group in the EP. He was a member of numerous committees and delegations. In 2004, he became the leader of the Forza Italia group in the EP.
European Commission
In 2008, Tajani was appointed Italy's representative to the European Commission, succeeding Franco Frattini. He served as Commissioner for Transport and one of five vice-presidents of the Commission. During his tenure, he contributed to the adoption of the EU's new transportation regulation, establishing common rules for the protection of air passenger rights.
In 2010, Tajani was appointed Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, while also remaining a Vice-President of the Commission.
President of the European Parliament
Tajani was nominated by the European People's Party group as a candidate for President of the European Parliament and was elected on January 17, 2017. He served until July 3, 2019.
Return to the European Parliament and Presidency of AFCO
After leaving the presidency, Tajani was re-elected to the European Parliament in 2019. He became Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) and was elected Chairman of the Conference of Committee Chairs of the European Parliament.
Political Views and Statements
Tajani has expressed opposition to same-sex adoption, euthanasia, and the legalization of cannabis. He has also made controversial remarks about Benito Mussolini, for which he later apologized.
Vice-Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
Tajani was elected as a deputy in the Italian Parliament in 2022 and became Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy on October 22, 2022.
