Romano Prodi
Romano Prodi
Romano Prodi, OMRI; born 9 August 1939) is an Italian former politician and economist. He twice served as the Prime Minister of Italy, from 17 May 1996 to 21 October 1998 and from 17 May 2006 to 8 May 2008. He was also the tenth President of the European Commission from 1999 to 2004. He is nicknamed Il Professoredue to his occupation as professor of Economics at the University of Bologna...
NationalityItalian
ProfessionStatesman
Date of Birth9 August 1939
CountryItaly
recovery japan age
The problem of Italy is not really a question of age. Japan has an older population, and it is now in full economic recovery. The problem is that Italy is old in the structure of the society.
constitution historic building
We are involved in a constitution-building process of historic importance. The Convention should mark a new stage in European integration.
vaccines rich poor
Italy is divided between us and them, rich and poor, north and south, young and old, employed and unemployed.
thinking pay revolution
Think what a revolution it will be if we manage to get everyone to pay their taxes.
country italian economy
The Italian economy is certainly the weakest of the big European countries.
moving fall opportunity
We must now face the difficult task of moving towards a single economy, a single political entity .. For the first time since the fall of the Roman Empire we have the opportunity to unite Europe.
army europe names
If you don't want to call it a European army, don't call it a European army. You can call it 'Margaret', you can call it 'Mary-Anne', you can find any name, but it is a joint effort for peace-keeping missions - the first time you have a joint, not bilateral, effort at European level.
years president want
I am not a newcomer, you know, so I want to be judged for what I did when I was prime minister last time in Italy and president of the European Commission for more than five years.
expression government decision
European government is a clear expression I still use, you need time, but step by step, as in the Austrian case, the European Commission takes a political decision and behaves like a growing government.
hands unification continents
Our continents unification is at hand and we must stand to account.
country fit berlusconi
Berlusconi is no longer fit to lead our country.
law want use
I don't want to pass a punitive law, or use politics as a vendetta.
rejection rejected crushed
The extremist, isolationist policies of Jean-Marie Le Pen have been rejected and crushed
perfect-one becoming constitution
It is becoming more widely acknowledged that it is better to have a good constitution than not having a perfect one.