Sandro Pertini Italian socialist politician Date of Birth: 25.09.1896 Country: Italy

1. Biography of Alessandro Pertini
2. Early Political Career
3. Resistance Against Fascism
4. Imprisonment and Resistance
5. Political Career and Presidency
6. Legacy

Biography of Alessandro Pertini

Alessandro Pertini was an Italian socialist politician, serving as the President of Italy from 1978 to 1985. He was born in the city of Stella in the province of Savona in September 1896. Pertini received his education at a Salesian college in Varazze, and later attended the Chiabrera Lyceum in Savona. He obtained his higher education and law degree from the University of Genoa.

Early Political Career

Pertini was introduced to socialist ideas by his philosophy teacher, who shared the viewpoints of socialist reformers. In 1918, he joined the Italian Socialist Party and moved to Florence, where he defended his dissertation in political science. It was in Florence that he met prominent Italian socialists such as Gaetano Salvemini, the Rosselli brothers, and Ernesto Rossi.

Resistance Against Fascism

Following the assassination of the leader of the Italian Socialist Party, Giacomo Matteotti, by fascists, Alessandro Pertini became a fervent advocate for the fight against the totalitarian regime. He himself was beaten by fascists on multiple occasions, but never lost faith in his ideals. In 1923, Pertini was sentenced to imprisonment in a concentration camp, but managed to escape. He then organized the escape of Filippo Turati, the most prominent leader of the Socialist Party, and accompanied him to France. Pertini remained in France until 1926, working as a craftsman.

Imprisonment and Resistance

Upon returning to Italy in 1926, Pertini was arrested in Pisa and sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment. In 1935, he was interned on the island of Santo Stefano in the Tyrrhenian Sea, where he remained until 1943. Pertini was released a month after the arrest of Benito Mussolini and joined the Italian resistance movement against the German occupiers and the newly formed Italian Social Republic. He was subsequently arrested by the Germans and sentenced to death, but was freed by partisans during one of their anti-Nazi raids. Pertini then traveled to northern Italy and became an organizer of the partisan movement. His bravery during the war earned him the rank of lieutenant and several medals.

Political Career and Presidency

In 1945, Pertini was elected as a deputy in the first parliament of the Italian Republic. He also became a prominent figure within the Italian Socialist Party. He criticized all forms of colonialism, as well as corruption in the Italian government and even within the socialist party itself. In 1968, he was appointed as the President of the Chamber of Deputies in the Italian Parliament, and in 1978, he became the President of the Italian Republic. In his role as president, Pertini successfully worked to restore public trust in the state and its institutions. He served as president until 1985.

Legacy

In December 1988, Alessandro Pertini was awarded the Otto Hahn Peace Medal in Berlin for his outstanding contributions to peace and international understanding. He passed away in Rome in 1990 at the age of 93. His death was considered a national tragedy, and he was regarded as one of the most successful politicians in modern Italy.