Gianfranco Fini

Gianfranco Fini (born January 3, 1952 in Bologna) is an Italian politician, currently Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in the Government led by Silvio Berlusconi. He ran for mayor of Rome in 1993 but was defeated by Francesco Rutelli. He is the leader of the National Alliance (Alleanza Nazionale), a right-wing party.

Early years

Fini has led the party since 1991, when he became leader of the Italian Social Movement. He drew that party away from its neo-fascist ideology and more toward mainstream conservative right-wing parties in Italy. Some members left the party, but most stayed, and in 1994, Fini merged his party with some conservative elements of the Christian Democrats to form the National Alliance. Fini claims that he is not a fascist, and does not support some of his party's previous bases of support such as skinheads. Fini also disavowed racism.

Related Topics:
1991 - Italian Social Movement - Fascist - Conservative - Right-wing - 1994 - Christian Democrats - National Alliance - Skinheads - Racism

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