D’Alema Massimo

Massimo D’Alema was born in Rome, Italy, on 20 April 1949.

He is married to Linda Giuva, and has two children: Giulia and Francesco. He has a high school diploma in classical studies and studied Philosophy at the University of Pisa.

He is a professional journalist and was Chief Editor of the daily newspaper “L’Unità” from 1988 to 1990.

His political activities began in 1963, when he joined the Italian Young Communists’ Federation (FGCI). In 1975 he was elected General Secretary of the organization, until 1980. In 1987 he was elected member of the Italian Parliament (Chamber of Deputies). In 1989 he was actively engaged in the process which transformed the Italian Communist Party into the Democratic Party of the Left (PDS).

In 1992 he became President of the PDS parliamentary group in the Chamber of Deputies. He was re-elected MP both in 1994 and 1996. In July 1994 he was elected General Secretary of the PDS. On February 5th 1997 he was elected Chair of the parliamentary Committee on Constitutional reform. On 4 November 1997 the Committee submitted to the two Houses of Parliament a draft reform of Part II of the Italian Constitution.

In October 1998 Mr. D’Alema became Prime Minister of Italy. He was in office until April 2000. In December 2000 he was elected President of the Democrats of the Left.