Claudio Azzolini
Azzolini as Member of the European Parliament, 1994
President of the Union for Europe
In office
10 December 1996 – 14 June 1998
Serving with Jean-Claude Pasty (1995–1999)
Preceded byGiancarlo Ligabue
Succeeded byJean-Claude Pasty
Member of the Chamber of Deputies
In office
30 May 2001 – 28 April 2008
ConstituencyCampania 1
Member of the European Parliament
In office
19 July 1994 – 19 July 1999
ConstituencySouthern Italy
Personal details
Born(1940-06-09)9 June 1940
Naples, Italy
Died20 November 2025(2025-11-20) (aged 85)
Naples, Italy
PartyForza Italia
EducationDegree in Tourism Sciences
Alma materNunziatella Military School
OccupationJournalist

Claudio Azzolini (9 June 1940 – 20 November 2025) was an Italian politician and journalist who served as a Member of the European Parliament and the Italian Chamber of Deputies.[1]

Early life and career

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Born in Naples, Azzolini attended the prestigious Nunziatella Military School. He earned a degree in Tourism Sciences and worked as a journalist. Before entering politics, he held managerial positions at several major Italian companies, including Alitalia, ATI, Alfa Romeo, Aeritalia, and SPI.[2]

Political career

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European Parliament

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In 1994, Azzolini was elected to the European Parliament representing Southern Italy for Forza Italia. He served from 19 July 1994, to 19 July 1999. During this period, he held positions within parliamentary groups, including vice-president of the Union for Europe group from October to December 1996, followed by the presidency of the group from December 1996 to June 1998. He also served as vice-president of the Delegation to the EU-Malta Joint Parliamentary Committee from 1994 to 1997.[3]

As the Forza Italia group leader, Azzolini oversaw the party's entry into the European People's Party (EPP) in 1998.[4]

Chamber of Deputies

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Azzolini was elected to the Italian Chamber of Deputies in the 2001 Italian general election, representing the Campania 1 constituency for the House of Freedoms coalition. During the XIV Legislature, he was President of the Italian Parliamentary Delegation to the Assembly of the Council of Europe from 2001 to 2006, and served as Vice President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. [5]

He was re-elected in the 2006 Italian general election and served in the XV Legislature until 28 April 2008.[6]

Death

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Azzolini died in Naples on 20 November 2025, at the age of 85.[7][8]

References

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  1. ^ "Lutto in Forza Italia, morto Claudio Azzolini. Martusciello: "Amico e gentiluomo delle istituzioni"". la Repubblica (in Italian). 21 November 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  2. ^ "Forza Italia, morto l'ex deputato Claudio Azzolini. Martusciello: « Gentiluomo delle istituzioni»". www.ilmattino.it (in Italian). 21 November 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  3. ^ "4ª legislatura | Claudio AZZOLINI | Deputati | Parlamento Europeo". www.europarl.europa.eu (in Italian). 9 June 1940. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  4. ^ Red (21 November 2025). "Forza Italia, è morto l'ex europarlamentare Claudio Azzolini: Martusciello lo ricorda come un gentiluomo delle istituzioni". La Mescolanza (in Italian). Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  5. ^ "Claudio Azzolini morto l'ex deputato di Forza Italia Il ricordo di Martusciello | Gentiluomo delle istituzioni". www.zazoom.it (in Italian). 21 November 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  6. ^ https://leg15.camera.it/cartellecomuni/leg15/include/contenitore_dati.asp?deputato=d300406&position=Deputati%5CLa+Scheda+Personale&Pagina=Deputati/Composizione/SchedeDeputati/SchedeDeputati.asp?deputato%3Dd300406&Vis=1&Nominativo=AZZOLINI+Claudio
  7. ^ web, Redazione (21 November 2025). "Morto l'ex parlamentare Claudio Azzolini". www.ilroma.net (in Italian). Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  8. ^ Cozzolino, Joseph (21 November 2025). "Former Forza Italia MP Claudio Azzolini has died at 85".
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