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Sergio Mattarella
OMRI OMCA
Sergio Mattarella Presidente della Repubblica Italiana.jpg
Official portrait, 2022
President of Italy
Assumed office
3 February 2015
Prime Minister
Preceded by Giorgio Napolitano
Judge of the Constitutional Court of Italy
In office
11 October 2011 – 2 February 2015
Appointed by Italian Parliament
Preceded by Ugo De Siervo
Succeeded by Augusto Antonio Barbera
Minister of Defence
In office
22 December 1999 – 11 June 2001
Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema
Giuliano Amato
Preceded by Carlo Scognamiglio
Succeeded by Antonio Martino
Deputy Prime Minister of Italy
In office
21 October 1998 – 22 December 1999
Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema
Preceded by Walter Veltroni
Succeeded by Gianfranco Fini
Minister of Public Education
In office
23 July 1989 – 27 July 1990
Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti
Preceded by Giovanni Galloni
Succeeded by Gerardo Bianco
Minister for Parliamentary Relations
In office
29 July 1987 – 23 July 1989
Prime Minister Giovanni Goria
Ciriaco De Mita
Preceded by Gaetano Gifuni
Succeeded by Egidio Sterpa
Member of the Chamber of Deputies
In office
12 July 1983 – 28 April 2008
Constituency
See list
Palermo (1983–1994)
Sicily 1 (1994–2001; 2006–2008)
Trentino-Alto Adige (2001–2006)
Personal details
Born (1941-07-23) 23 July 1941 (age 84)
Palermo, Italy
Political party Independent (since 2009)
Other political
affiliations
  • DC (before 1994)
  • PPI (1994–2002)
  • The Daisy (2002–2007)
  • PD (2007–2009)
Spouse
Marisa Chiazzese
​
​
(m. 1966; died 2012)​
Children 3, including Laura
Parent
  • Bernardo Mattarella (father)
Relatives Piersanti Mattarella (brother)
Residence Quirinal Palace
Alma mater Sapienza University of Rome
Signature

Sergio Mattarella (born 23 July 1941) is an Italian politician who has been the President of Italy since 2015. He is the longest-serving president in the history of the Italian Republic. The President of Italy is like a head of state, similar to a king or queen in some countries, but elected. They make sure the country's rules (the Constitution) are followed and help keep things stable.

Mattarella was a key member of the Christian Democracy party for many years. He served as a minister in different governments, including Minister for Parliamentary Relations (1987–1989), Minister of Education (1989–1990), Deputy Prime Minister (1998–1999), and Minister of Defence (1999–2001). Before becoming president, he was also a judge on the Constitutional Court of Italy from 2011 to 2015.

On 31 January 2015, Mattarella was elected president. He was re-elected on 29 January 2022, becoming only the second Italian president to serve a second term. During his time as president, Italy has faced big challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and economic difficulties.

Early Life and Family

Bernardo e Sergio Mattarella
Sergio Mattarella with his father Bernardo in 1963

Sergio Mattarella was born in Palermo, Italy, on 23 July 1941. He came from an important Sicilian family. His father, Bernardo Mattarella, was a politician who helped start the Christian Democracy party. This party was very important in Italian politics for almost 50 years.

Sergio Mattarella studied law at the Sapienza University of Rome. After finishing his studies, he became a lawyer in Palermo and later taught law at the University of Palermo.

A very sad event changed Mattarella's life. On 6 January 1980, his older brother, Piersanti Mattarella, who was also a politician, was killed by the Sicilian Mafia in Palermo. After this, Sergio Mattarella decided to leave his teaching career and enter politics to fight against organized crime.

Political Career Highlights

Sergio Mattarella 1983
Mattarella's first portrait as a deputy in 1983

Mattarella began his career in the Chamber of Deputies (one part of the Italian Parliament) in 1983. He was known for being part of the left-leaning group within his party. He worked to clean up politics in Sicily, which was heavily influenced by the Mafia at the time. He helped Leoluca Orlando become the new mayor of Palermo, and together they worked to reduce the Mafia's power.

Serving as a Minister

Mattarella held several important government jobs. From 1987 to 1989, he was the Italian Minister for Parliamentary Relations. This role involves working between the government and the Parliament.

In 1989, he became the Italian Minister of Education. He worked on reforming schools and improving teaching programs. He also helped pass a law that included health education in schools. He resigned from this role in 1990 because he disagreed with a new law about media.

After his party changed its name to the Italian People's Party (PPI), Mattarella continued to be an important figure. He helped create a new election law called Mattarellum, which combined different ways of voting.

Later, he became Deputy Prime Minister of Italy from 1998 to 1999. In this role, he was also in charge of the secret services and tried to reform them. From 1999 to 2001, he served as Italian Minister of Defence. During this time, he supported NATO actions in Yugoslavia and ended the rule that made military service mandatory in Italy.

Judge of the Constitutional Court

In 2011, Mattarella was chosen by the Italian Parliament to be a judge on the Constitutional Court of Italy. This court makes sure that laws follow the Italian Constitution. He served in this important role until he became President in 2015.

Presidency (2015–Present)

First Term (2015–2022)

Presidente Sergio Mattarella
First term's official portrait
Oath of Mattarella 2
Mattarella with his predecessor Giorgio Napolitano

Sergio Mattarella was elected President of Italy on 31 January 2015. He took his oath on 3 February 2015. His first words as president were about the "difficulties and hopes of our fellow citizens." One of his first actions was to visit the Fosse Ardeatine, a place where many people were killed during World War II. He said that the world must unite to fight against terror.

Political Challenges

Main article: 2016 Italian constitutional referendum

During his first term, Mattarella faced several political challenges. In 2016, there was a constitutional referendum (a public vote on a new law) about changing the Italian Constitution. The changes were rejected by voters, and the Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, resigned. Mattarella then appointed Paolo Gentiloni as the new Prime Minister.

2018 Government Formation

Main articles: 2018 Italian general election and 2018 Italian government formation

After the 2018 general election, it was very difficult to form a new government because no party or group had a clear majority. Mattarella had to hold many meetings with party leaders to find a solution.

Eventually, the Five Star Movement (M5S) and the League agreed to form a government. They suggested Giuseppe Conte as Prime Minister. However, there was a disagreement when the League wanted to appoint a specific minister who was seen as against the Euro (Italy's currency). Mattarella refused this appointment, saying he had to protect Italy's stability and its place in Europe. This caused a big political crisis, but eventually, a government led by Giuseppe Conte was formed.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Main articles: COVID-19 pandemic in Italy and COVID-19 lockdowns in Italy

A major event during Mattarella's presidency was the COVID-19 pandemic. In early 2020, Italy was one of the first Western countries to be hit hard by the virus. The government had to put the whole country into a national lockdown to stop the spread.

Mattarella 25 Aprile 2020 2
Mattarella wearing a protective mask at the Victor Emmanuel II Monument during the Liberation Day in April 2020

Mattarella often spoke to the nation, encouraging people and emphasizing the importance of unity and following health rules. He strongly supported vaccination efforts. In his last speech of his first term, on 31 December 2021, he thanked Italians for getting vaccinated and for showing the "best face of the country."

Second Term (2022–Present)

Mattarella Draghi 2022
President Mattarella and Prime Minister Mario Draghi at the Victor Emmanuel II Monument on inauguration day

Even though Mattarella had said he didn't want a second term, political parties couldn't agree on a new president. So, they asked him to stay, and he agreed. He was re-elected on 29 January 2022, with a large number of votes.

In his second term, Mattarella continued to emphasize unity and Italy's role in Europe. He strongly condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, calling it a "brutal war."

2022 Government Crisis

Main article: 2022 Italian government crisis

In July 2022, another government crisis happened when the Five Star Movement withdrew its support from Prime Minister Mario Draghi's government. Draghi resigned, but Mattarella initially asked him to speak to Parliament to try and resolve the situation. When Draghi's government still couldn't get enough support, Mattarella accepted his resignation and called for new elections.

Mattarella Draghi Scioglimento Camere 2022
Mattarella dissolving the Parliament following Draghi's resignation

New Government and Recent Events

Main articles: 2022 Italian general election and 2022 Italian government formation

The new elections in September 2022 led to the centre-right coalition winning a majority. Mattarella then asked Giorgia Meloni, the leader of the Brothers of Italy party, to form a new government. She became Italy's first female Prime Minister.

100th anniversary of the Italian Air Force (15)
Mattarella with Giorgia Meloni during a military parade in 2023

Mattarella continues to play an important role in guiding Italy. He has spoken out on various issues, including the need for police to protect freedom of expression during protests and the importance of voting in European elections. He has consistently supported Italy's strong ties with Europe and its allies.

Sergio Mattarella 2 Giugno 2024
Mattarella during the 2024 Republic Day parade in Rome

Electoral History

Election House Constituency Party Votes Result
1983 Chamber of Deputies Palermo–Trapani–Agrigento–Caltanissetta DC 119,969 YesY Elected
1987 Chamber of Deputies Palermo–Trapani–Agrigento–Caltanissetta DC 143,935 YesY Elected
1992 Chamber of Deputies Palermo–Trapani–Agrigento–Caltanissetta DC 50,280 YesY Elected
1994 Chamber of Deputies Sicily 1 PPI – YesY Elected
1996 Chamber of Deputies Sicily 1 PPI – YesY Elected
2001 Chamber of Deputies Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol DL – YesY Elected
2006 Chamber of Deputies Sicily 1 Ulivo – YesY Elected

Presidential Elections

2015 presidential election (4th ballot)
Candidate Supported by Votes %
Sergio Mattarella PD, NCD, SC, UDC, SEL 665 65.9
Ferdinando Imposimato M5S 127 12.5
Others 85 8.4
Blank or invalid votes 118 11.6
Abstentions 14 1.3
Total 1,009 100.0
2022 presidential election (8th ballot)
Candidate Supported by Votes %
Sergio Mattarella M5S, Lega, PD, FI, IV, CI, LeU, Aut, Az, +Eu 759 75.2
Carlo Nordio FdI 90 8.92
Nino Di Matteo Alt 37 3.7
Others 59 5.8
Blank or invalid votes 38 3.8
Abstentions 26 2.6
Total 1,009 100.0

Honours and Awards

Sergio Mattarella has received many awards and honours from Italy and other countries around the world. These awards recognize his important work and leadership.

Italian Honours

  • Head and Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (since 2015)
  • Head of the Military Order of Italy (since 2015)
  • Head of the Order of Merit for Labour (since 2015)
  • Head of the Order of the Star of Italy (since 2015)
  • Recipient (gold medal) of the Italian Order of Merit for Culture and Art (1991)
  • Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Red Cross (2019)

International Honours

See also

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