Biography
Lattanzio was born on 31 October 1926 in Bari, Italy. He would get a degree in medicine and begin working as a physician before entering politics, where he would become a prominent member of the Christian Democracy (Italy), Christian Democrats; making a name for himself in the field of foreign policy.Political career
He would first take the national stage by becoming the undersecretary of defence in the Andreotti II Cabinet. Lattanzio served as Italian Minister of Defence, minister of defence (1976–1977) in the Andreotti III Cabinet. He would face harsh criticism for his role as minister of defence after convicted Nazi Herbert Kappler escaped from Italian custody in 1977 to find sanctuary in West Germany. He would ultimately resign from this position due to the scandal, but go on to take different cabinet level positions. Following the kidnapping and death of fellow Apulia native Aldo Moro, Lattanzio effectively inherited the 'Apulian electoral fortune.' He would go on to serve the cabinets of Prime Minister of Italy, Prime Ministers Giulio Andreotti, Andreotti (1976–1978, 1989–1992) and Ciriaco De Mita, De Mita (1988–89) as Italian Minister of Transport, minister of transport, then minister of civil protection, and lastly as minister of foreign trade. While serving as Minister of Civil protection he would be criticized for inefficient handling of the department during the 1990 Augusta, Sicily, Augusta Earthquake. Lattanzio would actively participate in increasing trade with China while Minister of Foreign Trade. He also served in the Chamber of Deputies of Italy in Legislature III of Italy, Legislature III, Legislature IV of Italy, Legislature IV, Legislature V of Italy, Legislature V, Legislature VI of Italy, Legislature VI, Legislature VII of Italy, Legislature VII, Legislature VIII of Italy, Legislature VIII, Legislature IX of Italy, Legislature IX and Legislature X of Italy, Legislature X. Lattanzio would be placed under house arrest while being investigated on allegations of corruption and illicit party financing. He died in his hometown of Bari on his 84th birthday, and was survived by his daughter.Works
* Wrote ''Italian Security Policy and the North Atlantic Alliance'' for the NATO Review, Nato Review.References
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