Overview

Nicola Zingaretti (born 11 October 1965) is an Italian politician associated with the centre-left. He rose from local and regional politics to national prominence after his election as President of the Lazio region in 2013, a post to which he was returned in 2018. Nationally, he became leader of the Democratic Party following a leadership contest in 2019 and held that office until 2021. His career has included experience in the European Parliament and in provincial government.

Political career and offices

Zingaretti's career spans municipal, provincial, regional and European institutions. Key positions he has held include:

  • Member of the European Parliament (2004–2008), representing Italian centre-left interests in Brussels and Strasbourg. See his profile on the European Parliament page.
  • President of the Province of Rome (2008–2012), where he managed metropolitan-level services and planning; further details are available via the Province of Rome information.
  • President of the Lazio region (elected 2013, re-elected 2018), overseeing regional health, transport and economic policy.
  • Secretary of the Democratic Party (Partito Democratico) from 2019 to 2021, leading the main centre-left party in Italy; party information can be found at the Democratic Party site.

Background and personal life

Zingaretti was born and raised in Rome. He comes from a family with a mixed cultural background; his mother was Jewish. His elder brother, Luca Zingaretti, is a well-known actor in Italy. Nicola Zingaretti is married and has two children. For more on his birthplace and local roots see Rome, and for notes on family heritage see family background.

Notable events and public profile

Zingaretti has been visible on issues such as regional public services and the organisation of health and social care in Lazio. During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic he was in the public eye: in March 2020 it was announced that he had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, a fact reported by national media and reflected in official statements (see COVID-19 announcement).

Significance and distinctions

As a politician who combined administrative roles with party leadership, Zingaretti represents a trajector y from local governance to national party politics common among contemporary Italian figures. His tenure as regional president and as party secretary placed him at the intersection of policy-making and organisational renewal within the centre-left. Observers note his emphasis on public services and attempts to modernise party structures while addressing electoral challenges at the national level.