1. Early Life and Education
2. Political Career
3. Il Manifesto and Proletarian Democracy
4. Return to the PCI and the PDS
5. Arrests and Protests
6. Journalism and Anti-War Activism
7. Parliamentary Career
8. Later Life
9. Presidential Candidacy and Political Alliances
10. Personal Life

Early Life and Education

Lucia Castellina was born in Milan, Italy, the daughter of Gino Castellina and Lisetta Libmann. She pursued a law degree at the Sapienza University of Rome.

Political Career

Youth and the Communist Party

Castellina began her political activism in the Italian Communist Youth Federation (FGCI). She participated in the first World Festival of Youth and Students in Prague in 1947. She joined the Italian Communist Party (PCI) in 1947.

Il Manifesto and Proletarian Democracy

In 1969, Castellina was expelled from the PCI and became one of the founders of the magazine "Il Manifesto." She was also elected to the Italian Chamber of Deputies in 1976 on the Proletarian Democracy party list.

Return to the PCI and the PDS

In 1984, Castellina rejoined the PCI. However, she voted against its dissolution in 1991 and joined the Communist Refoundation Party (PRC) in 1992. She left the PRC in 1996 due to disagreements with its leadership.

Arrests and Protests

Castellina was repeatedly arrested for participating in protests, including the 1948 demonstration against the assassination attempt on Palmiro Togliatti. She was also detained in Greece during the military coup of 1967.

Journalism and Anti-War Activism

Castellina edited the youth newspaper "Nuova Generazione" until 1962. She later contributed to the communist newspaper "Il Paese." In the 1980s, she co-edited the pacifist journal "Pace e Guerra." She also held leadership positions in various peace and human rights organizations.

Parliamentary Career

Castellina served in the Italian Chamber of Deputies from 1976 to 1987 and again in 1992. From 1979 to 1999, she was a member of the European Parliament. She chaired the Committees on Culture, Youth, Education, and Media (1994-1997) and External Economic Relations (1997-1998).

Later Life

After leaving the European Parliament, Castellina held positions at the Italian Cinema Promotion Agency and the University of Pisa. She was elected honorary president of the Italian Association for Recreation and Cultural Activities in 2014.

Presidential Candidacy and Political Alliances

In 2015, Castellina ran for president of Italy as the candidate of the Left Ecology Freedom party. She placed third in the first three rounds of voting. She later joined the National Board of the party and the National Committee of "Another Europe with Tsipras."

Personal Life

Castellina married fellow communist Alfredo Reichlin in 1953. They had two children, Pietro and Lucrezia. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1958.

Politics