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Francesco Lollobrigida, born on March 21, 1972, in Tivoli, Lazio, is a prominent Italian politician currently serving as the Minister of Agriculture since October 22, 2022. Notably, he is a key figure in the national-conservative Brothers of Italy party, and his political journey is closely aligned with Giorgia Meloni, the party’s leader.
Early Life
Hailing from a family with ties to both politics and entertainment, Lollobrigida is the grandnephew of the renowned actress Gina Lollobrigida. Additionally, he is the cousin of Francesca Lollobrigida, an Olympic speed skating silver medalist. Lollobrigida pursued his education in law at the Niccolò Cusano Telematic University.
Career
Francesco Lollobrigida’s entry into politics dates back to the 1990s when he joined the Youth Front (FdG), the youth wing of the neo-fascist Italian Social Movement (MSI). His early political engagement saw him serve as the provincial secretary of FdG for Rome until 1995. Subsequently, he assumed leadership of Student Action, a far-right student movement affiliated with the National Alliance (AN), the successor to MSI.
Over the years, Lollobrigida held various political positions, including roles as a municipal councilor in Subiaco (1996–2000), provincial councilor in Rome (1998–2003), and councilor for sport, culture, and tourism in the municipality of Ardea (2005–2006).
Despite an unsuccessful bid in the 2005 Lazio regional election, Lollobrigida’s political trajectory continued to rise. He became the provincial president of the National Alliance for Rome in 2008 and maintained the same position in The People of Freedom (PdL) from 2010 to 2012.
Joining the Brothers of Italy (FdI) in 2012, Lollobrigida was elected as a deputy for the Lazio region in the 2018 general election. His role within the party expanded as he assumed the position of parliamentary group leader in June 2018. In the 2022 general elections, he secured a seat in the Parliament.
Lollobrigida’s political acumen was further acknowledged when he was appointed as the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forests on October 22, 2022, in Giorgia Meloni’s government.
Controversy
Francesco Lollobrigida faced controversy in April 2023 when he made remarks during a trade union conference, suggesting concerns about declining birth rates among Italians. His statement, particularly the phrase “Italians are having fewer children, so we’re replacing them with someone else,” drew criticism. Opposition politicians drew parallels to the Italian fascist rhetoric of the 1930s, and the remarks were contextualized within the controversial Great Replacement theory.
In another instance, during his term as the Minister of Agriculture, Lollobrigida supported the ban on lab-grown meat imposed by the Italian government in November 2023. Critics express concerns about the potential negative impacts on animal welfare and the global climate.
Who are Francesco Lollobrigida Parents?
Maurizio Lollobrigida and Sondra Bergamini are the parents of Francesco Lollobrigida.
