Benigno Zaccagnini

Summary

Benigno Zaccagnini (Italian pronunciation: [beˈniɲɲo ddzakkaɲˈɲiːni]; 17 April 1912 – 5 November 1989) was an Italian politician and physician.

Benigno Zaccagnini
Minister of Labour and Social Security
In office
15 February 1959 – 26 July 1960
Prime MinisterAntonio Segni
Fernando Tambroni
Preceded byEzio Vigorelli
Succeeded byFiorentino Sullo
Minister of Public Works
In office
26 July 1960 – 21 February 1962
Prime MinisterAmintore Fanfani
Preceded byGiuseppe Togni
Succeeded byFiorentino Sullo
Personal details
Born(1912-04-17)17 April 1912
Faenza, Kingdom of Italy
Died5 November 1989(1989-11-05) (aged 77)
Ravenna, Italy
Political partyChristian Democracy
Alma materUniversity of Bologna
ProfessionPolitician, pediatrician

Biography edit

Born in Faenza, Zaccagnini graduated in Pediatrics in 1937. During World War II he acted as partisan, collaborating with Arrigo Boldrini in the liberation of Romagna.

Zaccagnini was among the founders of the Christian Democracy (DC), and was elected at the Constituent Assembly (1946) and the Chamber of Deputies (1948) of the new-born Italian Republic. He was a member of the Christian Democratic wing more favourable to a collaboration with left (or centre-left) parties. He was confirmed at the Chambers of Deputies until 1979, when he was elected to the Italian Senate.

In 1959, Zaccagnini was appointed Minister of Labour and Social Security in the Segni II Cabinet, a position he maintained also in the following government led by Fernando Tambroni. In 1960 he was appointed Minister of Public Works in the Fanfani III Cabinet.

In 1975, Zaccagnini was elected National Secretary of DC, remaining in place until 1980 when he was replaced by Flaminio Piccoli. In 1984 he was elected in the European Parliament. In 1978, during his tenure as national secretary, Democrazia Cristiana's president and Zaccagnini's mentor Aldo Moro was kidnapped by terrorist group Brigate Rosse. The prisoner wrote numerous letters to Zaccagnini, initially invoking his help, then accusing him and other DC leaders of sacrificing him in order to save the new government, which Moro had been instrumental to form.

Zaccagnini died at Ravenna in 1989.

External links edit

  • Biography (in Italian)
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Labour and Social Security
1959 - 1960
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Giuseppe Togni
Minister of Public Works
1960 - 1962
Succeeded by
Assembly seats
Preceded by
Title jointly held
Member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies
1946 - 1983
Succeeded by
Title jointly held
Preceded by
Title jointly held
Member of the Italian Senate
1983 - 1989
Succeeded by
Title jointly held
Preceded by
Title jointly held
Member of the European Parliament
1984 - 1989
Succeeded by
Title jointly held
Party political offices
Preceded by Secretary of the Christian Democracy
1975 - 1980
Succeeded by