by InTrieste
Sergio Mattarella marks 10 years as Italy’s president on Friday, having first been elected as the country’s 12th head of state on Jan. 31, 2015. The milestone makes him Italy’s longest-serving president, surpassing the record held by his predecessor, Giorgio Napolitano.
A former anti-mafia judge from Sicily, Mattarella was sworn in on Feb. 3, 2015, at the age of 73. His presidency has been defined by political stability, constitutional oversight, and a steadying presence during crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic.
A Presidency Shaped by Crises
Mattarella was elected on the fourth parliamentary ballot with 665 votes out of 1,009 electors, backed by then-Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s Democratic Party (PD) but opposed by Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia. In a symbolic first act, he paid homage to the 335 civilians massacred at the Fosse Ardeatine in 1944 by Nazi forces—an early signal of his commitment to national unity and remembrance.
Over the years, he has guided Italy through significant political upheavals, appointing multiple prime ministers, including Giuseppe Conte and Mario Draghi. In 2018, he made the historic decision to name Holocaust survivor Liliana Segre a senator for life.
When his seven-year term ended in 2022, a divided parliament failed to reach consensus on a successor. Despite expressing his desire to retire, Mattarella agreed to a second term, citing the need for national stability. He was re-elected on Jan. 29, 2022, after an appeal from party leaders and then-Prime Minister Draghi.
Political and Personal Legacy
Born in Palermo, Mattarella earned a law degree from La Sapienza University in Rome before teaching parliamentary law at the University of Palermo. His family history is deeply entwined with Italy’s fight against organized crime: in 1980, his brother Piersanti Mattarella, then president of Sicily, was assassinated by the Mafia. The tragedy propelled Sergio Mattarella into politics, where he served in various ministerial roles before retiring in 2008 and later becoming a constitutional court judge.
Known for his reserved demeanor, Mattarella has nonetheless spoken out on key issues. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he became a reassuring figure for Italians, notably delivering a solemn address in March 2020: “We are living through a sad page in our history.” A leaked rehearsal clip of the speech, in which he commented on his unkempt hair, endeared him to the public during a difficult period.
Mattarella has also defended Italy’s sovereignty in global affairs. In November 2023, he rebuked Elon Musk after the billionaire criticized Italian judges for blocking a government migrant policy, stating, “Italy is a great democratic country” that does not need external prescriptions.
A Historic Presence in Gorizia
On Saturday, Feb. 8, Mattarella will travel to Gorizia for the opening of GO! 2025, a cross-border cultural initiative with Slovenia. His presence underscores the project’s significance in promoting European unity and cultural exchange.
Now 83, Mattarella remains Italy’s only living president following Napolitano’s death in 2023. His tenure has been marked by a commitment to institutional stability, constitutional integrity, and a steadfast presence in times of national and international turbulence.
