Enrico De Nicola

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Enrico Roberto De Nicola (November 9, 1877 - October 1, 1959) was an Italian jurist, journalist, politician, and the first provisional Head of State of the newborn republic in 1946-1948.

[edit] Biography

Enrico De Nicola was born in Naples and became famous as one of the most esteemed penal lawyers in Italy. He was elected a deputy for the first time in 1909 and he filled minor governmental posts until the advent of fascism, when he retired from political life. He was appointed senator by King Victor Emmanuel III in 1926, but he never took part in the workings of the Assembly.

After 1943, when fascism ended, De Nicola was perhaps the most influential mediator for the creation of the title "Lieutenant-General of the Realm", by which the king's son Prince Umberto took over most of the functions of the sovereign. Once the monarchy had ended, the Constituent Assembly elected De Nicola Provisional Head of State on June 28, 1946, with 80% of the votes, at the first round of voting. Giulio Andreotti later recalled that De Nicola - mainly because of his unique modesty - was not sure whether to accept the nomination, and underwent frequent changes of mind in the face of repeated importuning by all the major political leaders. Andreotti had then to write to him: "Your Excellency, please, decide to decide if you can accept to accept..."

On June 25, 1947, De Nicola resigned from the post, citing health reasons, but the Constituent Assembly immediately re-elected him again the following day, having recognised in his act signs of nobility and humility. The value of the man was indeed so great that he is still considered as perhaps the most serious Italian politician of the 20th century. After the Italian Constitution took effect, he was formally named the "President of the Italian Republic" on January 1, 1948. He finally refused to be a candidate for the first constitutional election the following May, in which Luigi Einaudi was elected to the Quirinale.

De Nicola became a senator for life (as a former Head of State), and later was elected the President of the Italian Senate, and of the Constitutional Court.

He died at Torre del Greco, in the province of Naples, in 1959.

His lifestyle was as honest as it was extremely austere, and in times of general economic crisis, he lived in increased poverty, but was always memorably dignified. De Nicola remains in the Italian history as one of the most striking figures ever.

Preceded by: Vittorio Emanuele Orlando	President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies 1920-1924	Succeeded by: Alfredo Rocco
Preceded by: —	Temporary Chief of the Italian State 1946–1948	Succeeded by: Luigi Einaudi
Preceded by: Ivanoe Bonomi	President of the Italian Senate 1951-1952	Succeeded by: Giuseppe Paratore

Presidents of the Italian Republic
De Gasperi (*) • De Nicola • Einaudi • Gronchi • Segni • Merzagora (*) • Saragat • Leone • Fanfani (*) • Pertini • Cossiga • Spadolini (*) • Scalfaro • Mancino (*) • Ciampi • Napolitano Notes: (*) ad interim