Roberto Calderoli | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister of Regional Affairs and Autonomies | |
| Assumed office 22 October 2022 | |
| Prime Minister | Giorgia Meloni |
| Preceded by | Mariastella Gelmini |
| Minister of Legislative Simplification | |
| In office 8 May 2008 – 16 November 2011 | |
| Prime Minister | Silvio Berlusconi |
| Succeeded by | Filippo Patroni Griffi |
| Member of the Senate of the Republic | |
| Assumed office 30 May 2001 | |
| Constituency | Lombardy (2001–06) Piedmont (2006–08) Lombardy (since 2008) |
| Member of the Chamber of Deputies | |
| In office 23 April 1992 – 29 May 2001 | |
| Constituency | Lombardy |
| Vice President of the Senate of the Republic | |
| In office 21 March 2013 – 12 October 2022 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 April 1956 Bergamo, Italy |
| Political party | Lega Nord Lega per Salvini Premier |
| Residence(s) | Mozzo, Lombardy |
| Profession | Maxillofacial surgeon |
Roberto Calderoli (born 18 April 1956) is an Italian politician and a member of the Senate of the Republic. He was a Minister without portfolio for Legislative Simplification in the Berlusconi IV Cabinet. He previously served as Minister without portfolio for Reforms and Devolution in the Berlusconi II Cabinet (since 20 June 2004) and in the Berlusconi III Cabinet (until 18 February 2006, when he resigned following a controversy). A leading member of Lega Nord, he is regarded as representing the right wing of the political spectrum.[1] He is serving as minister of Regional Affairs and Autonomies in the Meloni Cabinet since 2022.
Calderoli is often the centre of public controversies, usually because of racist, xenophobic, or offensive public remarks.In July 2013, Calderoli insulted Italy's first black Minister, Italo-Congolese Cécile Kyenge, saying: "Whenever I see Minister Kyenge, I cannot help but think of an orangutan."[2]
- ^ Bronner, Stephen Eric (2007). Peace Out of Reach: Middle Eastern Travels and the Search for Reconciliation. Lexington, Kentucky: The University of Kentucky Press. p. 127. ISBN 978-0813172576.
- ^ "Calderoli: "Calderoli: Kyenge sembra un orango. Letta: inaccettabile. Grasso: chieda scusa"". Il Sole 24 Ore. 12 July 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2013.