Nato a Palermo nel 1941, viene descritto come una persona prudente, riservata e risoluta. Cattolico, è stato parlamentare dal 1983 al 2008, attraversando le epoche politiche di Democrazia cristiana, del Partito popolare italiano e della Margherita. Nella sua lunga carriera, è stato ministro dell’Istruzione con Giulio Andreotti. Nel 1990 si dimette, con altri ministri, contro la contestata legge Mammì sulla "disciplina del sistema radiotelevisivo pubblico e privato"*. Negli anni Novanta, con Massimo D’Alema fu vicepresidente del Consiglio e ministro della Difesa anche nel Governo Amato: appoggiò l’intervento NATO in Kosovo. Dal 2011 è giudice della Corte costituzionale.
Vita privata
Mattarella è vedovo e ha tre figli. La sua vita è stata segnata dalla tragedia del fratello Piersanti, ucciso dalla mafia nel 1980. Era presidente della regione Sicilia. Il successore di Napolitano, è il primo presidente eletto di origini siciliane.
*anche per questo motivo la sua candidatura è risultata indigesta a Silvio Berlusconi.
AlesS/SP
Dal TG20
31.01.2015: Italia, Mattarella presidente
31.01.2015: Chi è Sergio Mattarella
31.01.2015: La diretta da Roma
Dal TG delle 12.30
RG 18.30 del 31.01.15 - La scheda del corrispondente Claudio Bustaffa
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