Walter Veltroni

Walter Veltroni (born 3 July, 1955 in Rome) is a Italian politician and lead member of the Left-Wing Democrats party. He serves as Mayor of Rome since 2001.

Related Topics:
3 July - 1955 - Rome - Italian - Politician - Left-Wing Democrats - Mayor of Rome - 2001

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He started his political career as member of the Italian Young Communist Federation, then he served as Rome city counsellor from 1976 to 1981, before being elected as Member of Parliament for the first time in 1987. Chosen as member of the Italian Communist Party's national secretariat in 1988, he played a lead role in the party's transformation to the social-democratic party it is today.

Related Topics:
1976 - 1981 - 1987 - 1988

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Veltroni, who is a professional journalist, was chosen from 1992 to 1996 as editor-in-chief of the newspaper of the Left-Wing Democratic Party (later renamed Left-Wing Democrats), L'Unità.

Related Topics:
1992 - 1996 - L'Unità

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He then successfully ran as vice-premier candidate, together with Romano Prodi, for the 1996 national election in Italy. He left his job in office in 1998, subsequent to his election as National Secretary of the Left-Wing Democrats.

Related Topics:
Romano Prodi - 1996 - 1998

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As a candidate in 2001 for the office of Mayor of Rome, he eventually won the election against Antonio Tajani of Forza Italia. It was speculated that Silvio Berlusconi, leader of Forza Italia, had "surrendered Rome" to Veltroni because Tajani was recognized as a weak candidate. Before taking his new office, Veltroni resigned from his lead position in the party.

Related Topics:
Antonio Tajani - Forza Italia - Silvio Berlusconi

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