Romano Prodi

President of the European Comission (1999 - 2004)

Prime Minister of Italy (1996 – 1998)

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English · Italian

Romano Prodi is an Italian economist and politician who was Prime Minister of Italy between May 1996 and October 1998 and subsequently held the post of President of the European Commission until 2004. He has been the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Italy since 2006.

Graduated cum laude in law from the Catholic University of Sacred Heart of Milan and a doctorate with a thesis about protectionism of domestic industry in Italy, Romano Prodi began his academic career as an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Bologna in 1963. Three years later, he became professore incaricato obtaining in 1971 the chair of Political Economy and Industrial. Romano Prodi has also been a visiting professor at Harvard University and the Stanford Research Institute.

His political career began in 1978, when he became Minister of Industry and later in 1982, Romano Prodi was appointed by Giovanni Spadolini as President of the Public Holding Company IRI (Istituto per la Ricostruzione Industriale). In 1996, he went to the head of the coalition “El Olivo” in the general elections of Italy and after the electoral victory of the group, was elected Prime Minister. The performance of the Romano Prodi government was focused on the reorganization of the Italian economy in order to solve the major economic crisis and achieve the entrance of Italy into the European single currency project.

Between 1999 and 2004, Romano Prodi was appointed President of the European Commission and following the ending of his term, he returned to Italian politics. In May 2006, Romano Prodi became President of the Council of Ministers, to be convened to form a government by the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, however, two years later submitted his resignation.

His long experience as a politician and economist, enabled him to become one of the most recognized experts in Europe to treat some of the more topical issues such as the economic crisis or the use of renewable energy.

Economy

European Policy

Economic Crisis

Renewable energy

Europe as I See It

What does "Europe" mean as we enter the 21st century? A rapidly--expanding club of nation states? A large single market in which labour, goods and services can move freely? A centralizing superstate run by unelected bureaucrats? An economic giant but a political pygmy on the world stage? Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, tackles these and other questions in this important new book. It offers both a political vision and a personal statement by one of the most important political figures in Europe today. Central to Prodia s vision of Europe -- what it can and should be -- are the ideals of the European Uniona s founding fathers: Adenauer, De Gasperi, Monnet, Schuman. Their goal was a peaceful democratic Europe in which all the peoples of our continent could live together in security, freedom, justice and equality. The path towards that goal, argues Prodi, is inextricably bound up with economics. As the EUa s Member States voluntarily pool their national sovereignty, especially monetary sovereignty, that dream -- that vision of Europe -- is gradually coming true. This book will be of great interest to anyone concerned with Europe and its future.

Europe as I See It