Luigi Sbarra Appointed Undersecretary for the South by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has appointed Luigi Sbarra, the former secretary of the CISL union, as the new Undersecretary to the Prime Minister for the South. Sbarra's appointment comes after the previous overseer of the South, Raffaele Fitto, stepped down from his ministerial roles at the end of 2024 following his selection as European Commissioner. Since Fitto’s departure, Prime Minister Meloni had taken on the responsibilities of this crucial department herself.
The role of an Undersecretary of the Prime Minister is pivotal, as it involves managing significant departments of the presidency, overseeing substantial and sensitive delegations, and reporting directly to the head of government. To finalize Sbarra's appointment, it must receive approval from President Sergio Mattarella of the Republic.
At 65 years old, Sbarra brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously led CISL, the second-largest labor union in Italy, until February. His career in union leadership began at the local level with the Italian Federation of Agricultural Laborers (FISBA), a subordinate section of CISL, showcasing his long-standing commitment to labor issues in Italy, particularly impacting the southern regions.
Notably, Sbarra will serve as an independent, which means he is not tied to any political party, potentially allowing him to focus on the interests of the South without partisan constraints. His extensive background in labor issues and union representation is expected to inform his approach to the challenges facing southern Italy as he embarks on this new governmental role.
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