Biography of Antonio Bassolino

Toughness and ambition

March 20, 1947 Antonio Bassolino was born in Afragola (Naples) on March 20, 1947. Comes from one of the many centers of the district. His political career takes place entirely within the Communist Party. Enters the Youth Federation 17 years. From 1971 to 1975 he is Secretary of the Federation of Avellino. In 1976 became Regional Secretary and maintain that position until 1983. In parallel with the regional career, makes its way even in Botteghe Oscure. In 1972 enters the Party Central Committee and in 1979 in the national leadership. In 1980 he was appointed head of the National Commission for the South and, later, the National Commission for the job. In 1987 is elected Chairman of the College of Catanzaro. In 1990 he was commissioned by cure media sector. Rimini Congress moves independently looking for a "peaceful" transition from Pci to Pds. presents a motion staff and provides an intense mediation between supporters and opponents of the "breakthrough" by Achille Occhetto. In 1992 Antonio Bassolino was reelected to the Chamber. In 1993 was sent to Naples as Commissioner of the Federation travolta from Tangentopoli. Buy reputation as hard and is municipal election in November. Defeated in the runoff Alessandra Mussolini and becomes mayor of Naples. He published the essays "Mezzogiorno alla prova" (1980) and "La repubblica delle città" (1996) and has worked as a journalism geared to issues of employment and of organized crime, and of the South. As neo-Mayor of Naples arriving years of great work and extraordinary successes. Naples knows a true rebirth and Bassolino buy internationally acclaimed man of capable and honest Government. In 1994 is among the electors of Pds Secretary Massimo D'Alema. Reelection for mayor of 1997 is a veritable plebiscite: 72.9 per cent of the vote in the first round. In October 1998, With D'alema at Palazzo Chigi, becomes Minister of labour, charging a double, difficult position: Mayor and Minister. Abandons the task of Government in June next to focus on the city of Naples. He is married with Anna Maria Carloni elected to the Senate in the XV legislature and in the XVI legislature. In the spring of 2000 abandons Palazzo Marino and is a candidate to the region of Campania. He was elected, but many accuse him of protagonism and have abandoned Naples to attempt the climb to the top of national politics. Is re-elected President of the region of Campania, on 3 and April 4, 2005, with 61.6 percent of the vote.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.