Letta, Enrico (1966-…), served as prime minister of Italy from April 2013 to February 2014. He is a member of the center-left Democratic Party. Letta formed a coalition (partnership) government after national elections in February 2013 were inconclusive. The coalition government included members of both the Democratic Party and its rival, the center-right People of Freedom Party. Letta replaced Prime Minister Mario Monti , who had been in office since November 2011. As prime minister, Letta struggled to keep the coalition together and faced opposition within his own party. On Feb. 14, 2014, he resigned amid continuing economic and political problems in Italy.
Letta was born in Pisa on Aug. 20, 1966. The son of a university professor, Letta studied political science at the University of Pisa. In 1997, he received a Ph.D. degree in European Community law from Pisa’s Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies. That same year, Letta became deputy secretary of the Italian People’s Party, a center-left political party that dissolved in 2002.
In 1998, Letta became Italy’s youngest-ever government minister when he was appointed to the Cabinet of Prime Minister Massimo D’Alema. Letta first served as minister for European affairs. He later held other ministerial posts and served as a member of the European Parliament and Italy’s Chamber of Deputies. Letta helped found Italy’s Democratic Party in 2007. He became its deputy leader in 2009.
Letta is married to journalist Gianna Fregonara. The couple has three sons: Giacomo, Lorenzo, and Francesco.
