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Giulio Andreotti

Ex-Italian PM Giulio Andreotti dies

Giulio Andreotti, one of the most prominent political figures of post-war Italy, dies aged 94, state TV says. Ref. BBC

Andreotti Giulio

Giulio Andreotti is one of the most controversial figures of the 20th century. He was part of the commission that wrote Italian Constitution in 1948, after War World II and the fall of the Fascist Regime. Like a phoenix, able to raise again from its ashes, Andreotti survived many political storms and managed to be part of the government for more than 50 consecutive years. As Prime Minister, minister or simple member of the parliament first and of the senate in his later years, he always got a sit of some importance inside the coalition that got the majority at the elections. Any coalition at any election.

He was one of the leaders of the old DC (Democrazia Cristiana) political party, one of the most represented in the Country, a party renowned for its inner wars for power. His appearance, as an inoffensive, little bit nerdy common man should not deceive. Andreotti was a wolf not a lamb. He wiped out all his rivals, one by one (some of those cases became matter for lenghty and controversial trials). His name is behind most of the historical events that determined the modern History of Italy. And not only those. His name came out several times during the historical trials held against the bigger bosses of Mafia and other criminal organizations (Mafia is a name generically used abroad but that actually indicates only one of the organizations that form Cosa Nostra and not even the most important). He has been probably the only political man in Italy able to control the Mafia instead of being controlled by it. He dictated what could be done and what not, like a boss.

He stepped back from the political scene after the big wipe-out known as "Mani Pulite" that, in 1994, put a whole political class under trial for corruption and mismanagement. Some of the old "Bigs" of the Italian political world killed themselves in jail, some chose exile: Andreotti got a lifetime sit in the senate, with no real power but limitless diplomatic immunity (not sure in English, is that thing that prevent men covering important roles in the Government to be put on trial or imprisoned before their mandate expires).

Seeing what happened after the fall of the old class, the rise of Berlusconi and all, I can't help but feel a little bit nostalgic. Andreotti, or "Zu Giulio" like important Mafia affiliates used to call him, was a man that used any mean to obtained and keep power. But was a man that, while working for himself, always worked for the good of the Nation. Under his guide, Italy has been one of the most prosperous Countries in the western world, the fourth industrial power for almost 10 years, (between the 70s and the 80s), ahead of nations like England or Japan (now we are not more than 8th or 9th). Between the things he did, he was one of the theorists and creators of the European Union (he actually signed its act of birth in Rome, 1962 if I'm not wrong).

He was also a man of non common intelligence and wit. Many things that he said during his life became common sayings for us Italians. Just a few examples. "Power consumes those that don't have it", when asked about his long lasting political career. About the media, "Remember: is not important if they praise or criticize you. The important is that they don't forget about you". Finally, my favorite: "The man that sees malice everywhere can be annoying, but he is often right".