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Luigi Di Maio is an Italian politician born on July 6, 1986, in Avellino, Campania, Italy. He has emerged as a prominent figure in Italian politics, contributing significantly to the Five Star Movement (Movimento 5 Stelle or M5S), a political party he joined at a young age.
Early Life and Career
Di Maio’s political journey began in his early twenties when he became involved in the Five Star Movement, a populist and anti-establishment party founded by comedian Beppe Grillo and web strategist Gianroberto Casaleggio in 2009. The movement gained popularity for its advocacy of direct democracy, anti-corruption measures, and environmentalism.
In 2013, Luigi Di Maio was elected to the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of the Italian Parliament, representing the M5S in the electoral district of Naples. His rapid rise within the party was evident, and he soon became the Vice President of the Chamber.
One of the defining moments in Di Maio’s political career came in September 2017 when he was elected as the political leader (capo politico) of the Five Star Movement. With this appointment, he assumed a central role in shaping the party’s policies and strategies. Under his leadership, the M5S continued to position itself as a force challenging traditional political structures.
In the 2018 Italian general elections, Luigi Di Maio played a crucial role in the M5S’s success. The party emerged as the single largest force in the Chamber of Deputies, securing more votes than any other party. This victory solidified Di Maio’s standing as a key political figure in Italy.
In September, amidst political changes, M5S founder Beppe Grillo endorsed an alliance with the Democratic Party (PD), receiving over 79% support from M5S members. Subsequently, on September 5, Di Maio became Minister of Foreign Affairs in the new government led by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.
However, facing criticism for his leadership, Di Maio resigned as M5S leader on January 22, 2020, ahead of crucial regional elections. In early 2020, he supported the government’s decision to enforce a nationwide lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a noteworthy move on August 1, 2022, following Prime Minister Draghi’s resignation and snap election announcement, Di Maio, with Bruno Tabacci of the Democratic Centre (CD), founded Civic Commitment (IC), a centrist electoral alliance. Despite its Democratic Party affiliation, Di Maio suffered an electoral setback, losing his parliamentary seat. After leaving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he stepped down from Civic Commitment leadership, effectively dissolving the electoral list.
Post his exit from domestic politics, Di Maio entered a new career phase, securing the role of Special Representative of the European Union for the Persian Gulf on May 15, 2023, signifying a notable shift toward international focus.
Who is Luigi Di Maio’s Ex-girlfriend?
Virginia Saba is the ex-girlfriend of Luigi Di Maio. Virginia is a Sardinian journalist and parliamentary assistant. She was born in 1982.
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