Vittorio (Vito) Lattanzio (31 October 1926 – 31 October 2010) was an Italian Christian Democrat politician and physician.[1]
Vittorio Lattanzio | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 31 October 1926 Bari, Apulia, Italy |
| Died | 31 October 2010 (aged 84) Bari, Apulia, Italy |
| Political party | Christian Democrat |
| Profession | Physician |
Biography
Lattanzio was born on 31 October 1926 in Bari, Italy. He would get a degree in medicine and begin working as a physician before entering politics, where he would become a prominent member of the Christian Democrats; making a name for himself in the field of foreign policy.[1]
Political career
He would first take the national stage by becoming the undersecretary of defence in the Andreotti II Cabinet.[2]
Lattanzio served as minister of defence (1976–1977) in the Andreotti III Cabinet.[3][4] He would face harsh criticism for his role as minister of defence after convicted Nazi Herbert Kappler escaped from Italian custody in 1977 to find sanctuary in West Germany.[5][6] He would ultimately resign from this position due to the scandal, but go on to take different cabinet level positions.[7][8][9]
Following the kidnapping and death of fellow Apulia native Aldo Moro, Lattanzio effectively inherited the 'Apulian electoral fortune.'[1][9]
He would go on to serve the cabinets of Prime Ministers Andreotti (1976–1978, 1989–1992) and De Mita (1988–89) as minister of transport, then minister of civil protection,[10] and lastly as minister of foreign trade.[11][12] While serving as Minister of Civil protection he would be criticized for inefficient handling of the department during the 1990 Augusta Earthquake.[13] Lattanzio would actively participate in increasing trade with China while Minister of Foreign Trade.[11] He also served in the Chamber of Deputies of Italy in Legislature III, Legislature IV, Legislature V, Legislature VI, Legislature VII, Legislature VIII, Legislature IX and Legislature X.[2][14]
Lattanzio would be placed under house arrest while being investigated on allegations of corruption and illicit party financing.[15]
He died in his hometown of Bari on his 84th birthday, and was survived by his daughter.[1]
Works
- Wrote Italian Security Policy and the North Atlantic Alliance for the Nato Review.[3]
References
External links
- La fuga di Kappler - intervista a Vito Lattanzio di Enzo Cicchino, L'Archivio, 2000