Clemente Mastella

Clemente Mastella, born on February fifth, nineteen forty-seven, is a prominent Italian politician and journalist. He has been serving as the mayor of Benevento since June twentieth, two thousand sixteen, and was re-elected in two thousand twenty-one. His political journey began with the Christian Democracy party, where he was first elected to the Chamber of Deputies in nineteen seventy-six.

Throughout his career, Mastella has been known for his trasformismo, frequently changing political parties and affiliations. He held significant positions in government, including Minister of Labour and Social Policies in the first Berlusconi government from May tenth, nineteen ninety-four, to January seventeenth, nineteen ninety-five, and Minister of Justice in the second Prodi government from May seventeenth, two thousand six, to January seventeenth, two thousand eight.

During his tenure in the Senate of the Republic, he played a crucial role in determining the narrow majority of Romano Prodi's government. His political maneuvers contributed to the 2008 Italian government crisis, which ultimately led to Prodi's resignation and Silvio Berlusconi's return to power following a snap election.

Mastella's political career also includes two terms as mayor of Ceppaloni across three decades, specifically in the nineteen eighties, nineties, and two thousands. In June two thousand nine, he was elected to the European Parliament as part of The People of Freedom party, marking his second term after previously serving with the UDEUR from nineteen ninety-nine to two thousand four.