Giovanni Leone

Giovanni Leone ( born November 3, 1908 in Naples; † 9 November 2001 in Rome ) was an Italian politician of the Christian Democrats.

Life

Leone earned in 1929 a university degree in law and political science in 1930. In his youth he was a member of the founded by Benito Mussolini National Fascist Party. In 1933, Leone became an associate professor of criminal law at the University of Camerino, two years later, he then won the competition for a full professorship in this department. He taught at Messina, Bari, Naples and Rome. Leone took part as a soldier in World War II. Leone was married to Vittoria Michitto and father of three children.

Politician and President

In 1944, he joined the Christian Democrats. In the referendum on the future form of government in Italy on June 2, 1946 Leone expected a victory of the monarchy, instead the majority of Italians voted for the establishment of the Republic. As a member of the Constituent Assembly ( 1946-1948 ), he had an active part in the drafting of the Italian Constitution. Leone was twice for a short time Prime Minister of Italy, from June to November in 1963 and from June to November 1968. On August 27, 1967, he was appointed senator for life for his social and scientific contributions to the welfare of Italy by President Giuseppe Saragat. On 24 December 1971 he was elected with 518 of 1,008 votes and was until June 1978 President of the Republic of Italy. His election took place over 15 days and 23 ballots, so far the longest in Italy. The crucial votes for his election finally came from the neo-fascist Movimento Sociale Italiano.

Involvement in the Lockheed scandal and resignation

Seven months before the official end of his seven-year tenure Leone came back early from the office of the president. The reason was his involvement in the Italian version of the Lockheed scandal, in which he was regarded as a key figure. This Italian politicians from 1972 to the purchase of transport aircraft C -130 Lockheed advocated by Italy and received a total of billion lire bribes. Leone was a key figure under the pseudonym Antelope Cobbler. The Italian Communist Party demanded that Leone should resign, the Christian Democrats refused their member, the President, those support, which he had initially expected.

Continuation of the career: a senator for life

Leone practiced after his retirement and until his death on the function of a senator for life from. In 1994 he assisted in the confidence vote in the Senate, the government of Silvio Berlusconi. In 1996 he spoke, however, of the government of Romano Prodi. Again, two years later, he voted against the first government of Massimo D' Alema.