Former Italian President Giorgio Napolitano dies aged 98

For years he was considered the guarantor of Italy’s stability. Former Italian President Giorgio Napolitano (2006-2015), historic leader of the Communist Party and promoter of European construction, died at the age of 98 on Friday September 22.

Born under Mussolini on June 29, 1925, Giorgio Napolitano managed a particularly turbulent phase in Italy. Elected in 2006, he planned to retire at the end of his first seven-year term in the spring of 2013, after the legislative elections. But the results of the elections, which were too close, and the inability of the main parties to agree on a possible successor, had forced him to return to service. From his inauguration speech, particularly harsh towards the political leaders whom he had denounced “deafness” Faced with the country’s demands, he announced that he would not stay for seven more years and in fact resigned in January 2015.

The Pope praises his work for “unity and concord”

The entire political class of the peninsula paid tribute to this Neapolitan, who is recognized for his moderation, his prudence and his sense of state. Giorgia Meloni, leader of the post-fascist Fratelli d’Italia party and “president of the council” since October 2022, soberly presented “deepest condolences” from his cabinet to the family of the former president.

The current President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, recalled the European commitment of the former member of the Parliament of Strasbourg who led “important battles for social development, peace and progress in Italy and Europe”.

In a telegram to his widow, Pope Francis, on a trip to Marseille, saluted a man who had devoted his political action to preserving “unity and harmony” from his country.