The famous Italian politician led the Italian government many times as the leader of the Christian Democrats. Giulio Andreotti was at the forefront of easing tensions between the Soviet Union and the West. During his long political career, he held 19 ministerial positions and seven times the highest office in the executive branch of the state. And he was always at the epicenter of the country's political events, many times he was accused of having links with the Sicilian mafia. A prominent Italian politician passed away in 2013.
Early years
Giulio Andreotti was born on January 14, 1919 in Rome, in a family originating from the commune of Segna. He lived with his mother on her small pension, since his father died early, just like his only sister Elena. Nevertheless, he managed to graduate from the Lyceum with good grades. This did not even stop the fact that the boy suffered from severe migraines, and he had to take psychotropic drugs.
From his youth, he dreamed of becoming a doctor, but the medical school had strict rules, students had to attend classes regularly. And it became hard to live on a small maternal pension. And in order to have time to earn extra money, Giulio enters the University of Rome La Sapienza at the Faculty of Law, from which he graduated with honors in the fall of 1941.
The beginning of a political career
Giulio Andreotti began to engage in politics in his student years, joining the university organization of Catholic students. It was the only public organization permitted by Mussolini's fascist government. Subsequently, many active members of the University Federation of Italian Catholic Students became prominent figures in the Christian Democratic Party (CDA).
In the summer of 1939, the organization was headed by Aldo Moro, later twice the head of the Italian government. The young student then also received one of the significant posts, taking the place of the editor of the Catholic student magazine "Azione Fucina". During World War II, Giulio Andreotti wrote articles and notes for the underground publication "Il Popolo". At the same time, his materials were published by the fascist magazine "Rivista del Lavoro".
When Moro was drafted into the army in 1942, he became his successor in the Federation and served as president until 1944. At the same time, he was elected to the National Council of the CDA, and after the end of the war he was appointed to be in charge of the party and the youth program.
Becoming a politician
In 1946, Giulio Andreotti became a member of the country's Constituent Assembly, which developed the post-war constitution of Italy. Behind his election was the founder of the party, Alcide De Gasperi, who hired a promising young politician as his assistant. Two years later, he was first elected to Parliament (the Chamber of Deputies), where he represented the constituency, including Rome-Latina-Viterbo-Frosinone. He was elected as a deputy in it until the 90s.
In 1947, Giulio Andreotti began his career in the highest executive body, taking the post of secretary to the chairman of the Council of Ministers. Over the next seven years, he held this position in five de Gasperi governments and one - Giuseppe Pellado.
As a high-ranking official, he had wide powers. His responsibilities continued to include youth policy, including sports and the film industry. His measures were aimed, as he himself said, at having more legs and fewer rags. His undoubted merits of that period include assistance in the revival of Italian cinema.
At ministerial posts
In his post, Giulio Andreotti contributed to the reform of the country's Olympic Committee, which was dissolved after the overthrow of the fascist government. In 1953, he contributed to the introduction of a ban on foreign football players. And in 1958 he became the head of the organizing committee of the Summer Olympic Games, held in Rome. Subsequently, in 1990, formerits in the development of sports he was awarded the Golden Olympic Order.
In 1954, Andreotti received his first ministerial portfolio. In subsequent years, he held this post 19 more times. In the 60s, while holding the post of Minister of Defense, he was involved in a number of scandals:
- with military intelligence, which collected dossiers on all prominent political and public figures of the country;
- the case of the "piano solo", the alleged coup d'état, which was prepared by the Italian secret services at the behest of the President of the Republic.
After every high-profile scandal, a photo of Giulio Andreotti appeared on the front pages of local publications. This not only did not harm him, but also added popularity among Italians.
Head of government
In 1972, Andreoti became prime minister for the first time, although it lasted only nine days and became a kind of record in the history of the country. In total, during his political career, he held this post seven times.
Giulio Anderoti became the author of a number of social reforms that improved the welfare of Italian citizens. For example, he instituted price controls on basic foodstuffs and expanded he alth insurance.
In foreign policy, he was a consistent supporter of a peaceful policy, advocated cooperation with the socialist countries. In 2008, the film "Amazing" about Giulio Andreotti was shot. The film tells about the political scandals in which the politician was involved.
Recent years
During his long political career, the figure became famous as the author of aphorisms, quotes by Giulio Andreotti enjoyed well-deserved success among colleagues. One of the most famous:
Power is a disease from which a person has no desire to be cured.
In 1993, Giulio Andreotti was once again accused of having links with the Sicilian mafia, and he was forced to end his political career. After a decade of legal battles, in 2002 he was sentenced to 24 years in prison, but in 2003 the country's Supreme Court dropped all charges against him.
