Ciriaco Mita Italian politician Date of Birth: 02.02.1928 Country: Italy

1. Early Life and Entry into Politics
2. Governmental Roles and Party Chairmanship
3. Prime Ministership and Tragedy
4. Return to Parliament and Later Political Career
5. European Parliament and Legacy

Early Life and Entry into Politics

Siriaco Luigi de Mita was born in 1928 in the small town of Nusco, Italy. He joined the Christian Democratic Party in his youth and quickly rose through its ranks. In 1956, he became a member of the party's council, and in 1963, he was elected to the Italian Chamber of Deputies.

Governmental Roles and Party Chairmanship

In 1973, de Mita entered the government, serving as Minister of Industry and later Minister of Foreign Trade. In 1982, he was appointed Chairman of the Christian Democratic Party, and in 1986, he was re-elected with 60% of the vote.

Prime Ministership and Tragedy

In the 1987 parliamentary elections, the Christian Democrats emerged victorious, and de Mita was appointed Prime Minister in 1988. However, his premiership was marred by the assassination of Roberto Ruffilli, his advisor, by the Red Brigades terrorist group in 1988.

Return to Parliament and Later Political Career

After his premiership ended in 1989, de Mita returned to parliament in 1996 and was re-elected twice more in 2001 and 2006. In 1994, he joined the Italian People's Party, which he left in 2002 to join the centrist party Margherita: Democracy is Freedom. He remained with this party for five years before joining the Democratic Party of Italy.

European Parliament and Legacy

In June 2009, at the age of 81, de Mita was elected to the European Parliament, making him the oldest successful candidate in that election. His political career spanned over six decades, and he left a significant mark on Italian and European politics.