Sergio Mattarella (b. 1941)

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Biography

Sergio Mattarella is an Italian politician who has been serving as the president of Italy since 2015. He is the longest-serving president in the history of the Italian Republic. Since Giorgio Napolitano's death in 2023, Mattarella is the only living Italian president.

Timeline

The story of Sergio Mattarella, told in moments.

1980 Event

His brother Piersanti was assassinated by the Mafia while sitting in his car on Epiphany. Sergio was nearby. The murder pushed him into politics and hardened his stance against organized crime.

How did watching your brother's assassination change you? Was entering politics after that an act of courage or revenge? Did the Mafia define your political mission?

1999 Life

Served as Minister of Defence under Prime Minister D'Alema. Had previously held posts as Minister for Parliamentary Relations and Minister of Education across multiple governments.

What did being Minister of Defence teach you about Italy's place in the world? How did you serve across so many different governments? Was pragmatism your survival skill?

2015 Event

Elected President of Italy on the fourth ballot, backed by the center-left coalition. A quiet, methodical Catholic leftist, he was seen as an antidote to the bombast of Berlusconi-era politics.

What does being called an antidote to bombast mean to you? Was being elected on the fourth ballot satisfying or exhausting? Is quiet leadership undervalued in Italy?

2022 Event

Re-elected president despite initially ruling out a second term. Became only the second Italian president to serve twice, after Giorgio Napolitano. Five prime ministers have served under him.

Why accept a second term after ruling it out? How do you serve through five prime ministers? What does stability mean in Italian politics?

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