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Carlo Calenda’s political career has been marked by his support for free markets and globalization, as well as his advocacy for workers’ rights and protection.
His diverse background and strong connections have shaped his political journey, where he has sought to navigate the complexities of Italian politics and promote his vision for a liberal-progressive movement.
Carlo Calenda’s Biography
Carlo Calenda, born on April 9, 1973, is an Italian business executive and politician. He first entered the political scene in 2013 when he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Economic Development in the government of Enrico Letta.
He retained this position under Letta’s successor, Matteo Renzi.
Calenda had a varied background before to entering politics. He was born in Rome to journalist Fabio Calenda and film director and screenwriter Cristina Comencini.
His ancestors also include his grandfather, Luigi Comencini, a well-known Italian comedy film director. Calenda joined the Italian Communist Youth Federation throughout his childhood, despite his wealthy upbringing.
Calenda began her career in finance, working for a variety of firms in the field. In 1998, he joined Ferrari as a manager under the presidency of Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, and then served as Sky Italia’s marketing manager in the early 2000s.
From 2004 to 2008, he worked as an aide to Confindustria President Luca Cordero di Montezemolo.
Calenda became the political coordinator for Future Italy, a liberal centrist research tank formed by Montezemolo, in 2009. He joined Civic Choice, the political party of then-Prime Minister Mario Monti, in 2012.
His first bid for a seat in the Chamber of Deputies in the 2013 general election, however, was unsuccessful.
Calenda’s political breakthrough came in 2016, when Prime Minister Matteo Renzi chose him as Italy’s Permanent Representative to the European Union.
The selection sparked criticism from both the opposition and Italian diplomats, as the role had hitherto been held by career diplomats rather than politicians.
Calenda was appointed Minister of Economic Development in 2016, following the departure of Federica Guidi, a position he held under both Renzi and his successor, Paolo Gentiloni.
Calenda’s policy as Minister of Economic Development highlighted his support for free markets and globalisation. He did, however, advocate for the rights of Italian workers and oppose foreign multinational firms.
Calenda’s political journey took a new turn in 2018, when he joined the Democratic Party (PD) following Renzi’s party’s defeat in the general election. He urged for the PD to be reorganised as a true leftist movement, and he rejected any agreements with populist parties.
He became increasingly sceptical of center-left politics and globalisation, emphasising the importance of worker and workplace protection. Some political critics labelled him a workerist because of his stance on worker protection.
Calenda was elected to the European Parliament in 2019 to represent the North-East constituency.
He was a member of the Industry, Research, and Energy Committee as well as the parliament’s delegation for ties with Canada.
Calenda’s Action party joined forces with Enrico Letta’s PD in the run-up to the 2022 general election. However, disagreements erupted between Calenda and Letta due to their opposing philosophies.
Calenda eventually left the partnership and formed the Action – Italia Viva (A-IV) coalition with Matteo Renzi’s Italia Viva party.
The coalition won a sizable number of seats in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Republic in the election.
Who Are Carlo Calenda’s Parents?
Carlo calenda’s parents are Cristina Comencini and ย Fabio Calenda
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