Oscar at a conference on September 9th 2005.
Oscar Luigi Scalfaro was the president of Italy from 1992 until 1999 for a total of seven years in office. That is a long time for an old man such as himself. Oscar died at age 93 yesterday. Italy's current president, Giorgio Napolitano, recalled Scalfaro's time as a member of parliament, interior minister and eventually president.
"Scalfaro has been a leading figure of the democratic political life in the various decades of the republic, a perfect example of coherence and moral integrity," Napolitano said in a statement.
Prime Minister Mario had this to say: "He has been a distinguished protagonist of ... Italian political and institutional life and a luminous example of perfect consistency and integrity," said Monti in a statement.
Pope Benedict XVI said Scalfaro was an “illustrious Catholic statesman," This is from a news release on the Vatican's website. In condolences sent to Scalfaro's daughter, Pope Benedict XVI said this about the Italian president: " Oscar did his best to promote the common good and the perennial ethical and religious values, that is proper to Italy's historical and civic tradition."
Scalfaro joined Italy's legislature in 1946, soon after the end of World War II, and served as minister and secretary multiple times. In 1992, he became the parliamentary speaker of Italy. Then, a month later, he became president.
Scalfaro remained in that position for a seven-year term, as I said above. He served as president in a time of political instability in Italy as he faced regular calls for new elections and working with several prime ministers, including Giuliano Amato, Romano Prodi and Silvio Berlusconi. By the way, all of them ended up serving additional terms later.
In 1999, Scalfaro handed over the reins to Carlo Ciampi, making him the current president.
Jake Grider
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