Aldo Moro was
born in Maglie, Italy , on 23rd September,
1916. After graduating in 1940 he taught law at the University of
Bara. Moro published several books on law and became president of
the Federation of Italian University Catholics.
A member of the
Christian Democrat Party, he was elected to the Constituent Assembly
in 1946 and helped to draft Italy's post war constitution.
In 1959 Moro became
the leader of the Christian Democrats. Four years later he formed
a coalition government with the Socialist Party. The country suffered
from severe economic problems and Moro was unable to introduce the
reforms he had promised. This lost him the support of the socialists
in 1966 but he held onto power until 1968.
Moro served as
foreign minister (1970-72) before once again becoming prime minister
in November 1974. His coalition government was unstable and he left
office on 9th July, 1976.
Moro was kidnapped
on 16th March 1978 after left-wing Red Brigade gunmen ambushed his
car killing his chauffeur and five policemen. They demanded the release
of 13 Red Brigade members on trial in Turin. President Giulio Andreotti
refused to negotiate with the kidnappers and on
9th May, 1978,
Moro's dead body was found in the boot of a Renault car in central
Rome.
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