Vito Bardi (born 18 September 1951) is an Italian general and politician. He is serving as the 9th and incumbent president of Basilicata since 16 April 2019. Bardi joined the Guardia di Finanza in 1970. He was promoted colonel on 31 December 1995 and later army corps general in 2009. He served as deputy general commander of the Guardia di Finanza from 5 September 2013 to 4 September 2014.
Vito Bardi | |
---|---|
![]() Vito Bardi in 2013 | |
President of Basilicata | |
Assumed office 16 April 2019 | |
Preceded by | Marcello Pittella |
Personal details | |
Born | Potenza, Italy | 18 September 1951
Political party | Forza Italia (since 2019) |
Spouse | Gisella Pischedda (married c. 1984) |
Children | 2 |
Occupation | General of the Guardia di Finanza, politician |
Early life and education
editBardi was born in Potenza, in the Basilicata region; he grew up in Filiano, in the province of Potenza.[1] Bardi attended the Nunziatella Military School in Naples, in the Campania region, where he obtained a liceo classico diploma and later came to hold several degrees.[2] During his life, Bardi graduated four times: in Economy, in Law, in International and Diplomatic Sciences, and in Economic and Financial Security Sciences.[3]
Career
editBardi served in the Guardia di Finanza as an officer. Promoted to colonel on 31 December 1995, he commanded the Legion of Florence and was placed in charge of the 1st Department of the General Command, a position he held until 1 January 2001, when he was promoted to brigadier general. He was appointed division general on 1 January 2005, and was assigned as regional commander of Campania. As army corps general, a rank achieved on 6 February 2009, Bardi held the positions of interregional commander of Southern Italy and inspector of educational institutions. He was the deputy general commander of the Guardia di Finanza from 5 September 2013 until 4 September 2014, when he retired.[3] That same year, he was investigated of corruption;[4][5][6] he rejected the accusations and declared himself innocent.[7][8][9] He was acquitted in 2017.[10][11][12]
For the 2019 Basilicata regional election, Bardi was appointed by Silvio Berlusconi as the centre-right coalition candidate for the office of president of Basilicata, supported by Forza Italia, the League, and Brothers of Italy.[13][14] Initially a political independent, Bardi officially joined Forza Italia for the election; he had ties to Berlusconi since 2009, and was the first high-ranking official who learned of the Patrizia D'Addario affair.[15] Bardi managed to win the election with 42.2 percent of the votes, ahead of Carlo Trerotola (centre-left coalition) at 33.1 percent, Antonio Mattia (Five Star Movement) at 20.2 percent, and the left-wing candidate Valerio Tramutoli (Possible) at 4.3 percent.[16] In doing so, he became the first right-wing president of Basilicata in 49 years and after 24 uninterrupted years of centre-left coalition leadership;[17] due to the centre-left coalition's roots in the region,[18][19] Basilicata has been described as the political equivalent of the left-wing Emilia-Romagna region in Southern Italy.[20] Bardi did not vote because he resides in Naples.[21] He campaigned on legality, and pledged to prioritize jobs opportunities and improving the infrastructures.[12]
Approval ratings of Bardi oscillated during his presidency, from as low as 73 percent of disapproval (including undecided) to as high as 54.9 percent of approval. In 2021, he was considered the least popular president of a region.[22][23] In 2022, Bardi was involved in two investigations related to the centre-right coalition. One was related to bad politics,[24][25] with charges ranging from corruption and attempted extortion to abuse of office, embezzlement, and influence peddling.[26][27][28] The other was related to a broader investigation, which started in 2018 and prompted Bardi's predecessor Marcello Pittella's resignation and included hundreds of people, later reduced to 27, as part of the region's health care inquiry about its mismanagement,[29] with Bardi charged of attempted undue inducement.[30][31][32] In 2023, Bardi recovered some popularity,[33] raising to 14th place from 40.5 percent to 47.5 percent in July 2023,[34] and coming to being the fifth most popular regional president by December 2023.[35][36][37]
After some negotiations,[38] in which the centre-right coalition appeared divided and his re-election bid seemed uncertain,[39][40][41] Bardi was confirmed as the centre-right coalition candidate for the 2024 Basilicata regional election.[42][43] In addition to Forza Italia, the League, and Brothers of Italy, the centre-right coalition in support of Bardi also included Us Moderates,[44] the Union of the Centre–Christian Democracy, and former centre-left coalition split parties Action and Italia Viva,[45][46][47] forming a broader big tent (campo largo) that since the 2022 Italian general election had been associated with the centre-left coalition.[48][49][50] Bardi's challengers include the province of Matera president Piero Marrese for the centre-left coalition and Eustacchio Follia for Volt Italy, with Bardi considered the frontrunner.[51][52][53]
Personal life
editAt the time of his election to president of Basilicata in 2019, Bardi had been married for over 35 years to Gisella Pischedda;[54][55] together, they have two adult sons, Andrea and Luca.[56][57] Bardi, who lives in Naples, is a supporter of the football club SSC Napoli.[58]
Works
edit- Bardi, Vito (2003). I provvedimenti per la gestione del personale nella Guardia di finanza: tutela della legalità e profili contenzios (in Italian). OCLC 956023578.
- Bardi, Vito (2005). La tutela giustiziale: da appunti di esperienze militari, casi e materiali per le amministrazioni pubbliche. Bari: Cacucci. ISBN 9788884224293. OCLC 848808598.
Honours
editCivil honours
edit- Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
- Silver Medal of Merit from the Italian Red Cross.
Military honours
edit- Commander's Cross with Swords of Melitense Merit of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta.
- Commander of Merit of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.
- Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.
- Mauritian Medal for Merit, after ten decades of military career, on the initiative of the president of the Italian Republic.
- Gold Cross, for length of service in the Guardia di Finanza, after 40 years of military service.
- Golden Military Medal of Merit, for his long command career at the Guardia di Finanza, after 20 years years in command service.
References
edit- ^ "È ufficiale: Vito Bardi è il nuovo Presidente della Regione Basilicata". Potenza News (in Italian). 25 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Dalle Fiamme Gialle alla politica: Vito Bardi, nuovo governatore della Basilicata". RaiNews (in Italian). 25 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Vito Bardi". Guardia di Finanza (in Italian). 2016. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Sarzanini, Fiorenza (11 June 2014). "Gdf, indagato per corruzione il comandante in seconda Bardi". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Ruotolo, Guido (12 June 2014). "Indagato a Napoli il generale Bardi". La Stampa (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Finanza, indagato il generale Bardi. Arrestato per concussione il comandante della sede di Livorno". RaiNews (in Italian). 12 June 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Corruzione Gdf, Bardi si difende: 'Totalmente estraneo a fatti contestati'". La Repubblica (in Italian). 13 June 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Guardia di Finanza, il generale Bardi: 'Sono innocente. Totalmente estraneo'". Il Fatto Quotidiano (in Italian). 13 June 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Scandalo Finanza, il generale Bardi: 'Sono innocente'". RaiNews (in Italian). 13 June 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Barbuto, Paolo (5 April 2017). "Il generale Bardi: 'Io, servitore dello Stato alla gogna per 2 anni'". Il Mattino (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Di Meo, Simone (6 April 2017). "Il generale prosciolto 'Così i pm di Napoli mi hanno rovinato'". Il Giornale (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ a b Foschini, Giuliano (25 March 2019). "Vito Bardi, il governatore della Basilicata che mette al primo posto il lavoro". La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Basilicata: chi è Vito Bardi, ex generale della Finanza". Agenzia ANSA (in Italian). 23 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Basilicata, elezioni regionali, Vito Bardi è il candidato del centrodestra". Il Messaggero (in Italian). 23 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Foschini, Giuliano (25 March 2019). "Basilicata, quel filo lungo dieci anni che lega Bardi a Berlusconi: da Tarantini alle cene eleganti". La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Basilicata al centrodestra, Vito Bardi vince con il 42,2%". Agenzia ANSA (in Italian). 24 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Sgherza, Alessio (25 March 2019). "Il centrodestra conquista la Basilicata: 10 regioni a 9. Mappe e grafici: risultati a confronto". La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Borghese, Salvatore (25 March 2019). "Il voto in Basilicata in 5 punti". YouTrend (in Italian). Retrieved 27 March 2024.
- ^ "Elezioni Basilicata, Bardi presidente con il 42%. Centrosinistra cade dopo 24 anni e perde la sesta Regione. M5s al 20%". Il Fatto Quotidiano (in Italian). 25 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
- ^ Ferrara, Pierfrancesco (14 March 2024). "Regionali in Basilicata, quando si vota e gli scenari". Sky TG24 (in Italian). Archived from the original on 22 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Sgherza, Alessio; Testa, Tiziana (24 March 2019). "Regionali: la Basilicata al centrodestra, Vito Bardi governatore a 9 punti dal centrosinistra. Terzo il M5S ma è primo partito". La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Governance Poll, Bardi il governatore meno popolare d'Italia". Ufficio Stampa Basilicata (in Italian). 5 July 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Bardi presidente retrocesso, ultimo in classifica nazionale". Il Quotidiano del Sud (in Italian). 6 July 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Terremoto giudiziario in Basilicata, indagati e arrestati alcuni politici lucani. Coinvolto il governatore Bardi". Il Corriere del Giorno (in Italian). 7 October 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Amato, Leo (13 April 2023). "Malapolitica lucana, chiuse le indagini: 30 persone coinvolte". Il Quotidiano del Sud (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Potenza, operazione della Dda sulla Sanità: arrestato capogruppo Fi in Regione Basilicata, indagato il neo senatore FdI Rosa". La Repubblica (in Italian). 7 October 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Del Porto, Dario; Martino, Anna (7 October 2022). "Inchiesta in Basilicata: indagato il governatore Vito Bardi, arrestato il capogruppo di Forza Italia, Francesco Piro". La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Pollice, Adriana (7 October 2022). "Sanitopoli lucana, il governatore Bardi e tre assessori accusati di corruzione e concussione". Il manifesto (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Sanitopoli lucana, fissata l'udienza preliminare: tra i 27 indagati anche Vito Bardi". La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno (in Italian). 5 December 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Inchiesta sanità lucana, indagati il presidente della Regione Vito Bardi e il neosenatore Gianni Rosa". Il Sole 24 Ore (in Italian). 7 October 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Sanità lucana: governatore Bardi indagato, 'ma vado avanti'". Agenzia ANSA (in Italian). 7 October 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Mala politica lucana, chiesto il processo per Bardi e altri big". Il Quotidiano del Sud (in Italian). 6 December 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Martina, Franco (10 July 2023). "I sondaggi de Il Sole 24 ore. Recupera Bardi. Giù i sindaci Bennardi e Guarente". Giornalemio.it. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Governance Poll 2023: bene Bardi, trend in calo per Emiliano. Decaro terzo sindaco più amato d'Italia". TRMtv.it (in Italian). 10 July 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Basilicata: il Governatore Bardi guadagna punti nella classifica di gradimento. Ecco il sondaggio". Potenza News (in Italian). 10 July 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Basilicata: il Governatore Bardi tra i primi 5 in questa classifica di gradimento del Sole24Ore! Ecco il sondaggio". Matera News (in Italian). 23 December 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Basilicata: il Governatore Bardi tra i primi 5 in questa classifica di gradimento del Sole24Ore! Ecco il sondaggio". Vulture News (in Italian). 23 December 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Regionali, accordo del centrodestra sulle ricandidature di Bardi, Cirio e Tesei". RaiNews (in Italian). 28 February 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Fraschilla, Antonio (20 November 2023). "Regionali, centrodestra spaccato: verso vertice dei leader. Ultimatum della Lega: 'Ricandidare gli uscenti o tutto in discussione'". La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Sardegna, al via il deposito dei simboli. Centrodestra diviso sui nomi, Tajani: 'Troveremo un accordo' ma blinda Bardi in Basilicata". La Repubblica (in Italian). 14 January 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Lamberti, Giovanni (19 January 2024). "Il centrodestra supera lo scoglio Sardegna e si divide sulla Basilicata". AGI (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Regionali, accordo nel Centrodestra su Bardi, Tesei e Cirio". Agenzia ANSA (in Italian). 28 February 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Tortorelli, Guido (29 February 2024). "Regionali, in Basilicata il centrodestra rompe gli indugi e ufficializza Bardi. 'Il mio impegno in continuità'". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Alle prossime elezioni regionali in Piemonte, Basilicata e Umbria la destra ricandiderà gli attuali governatori". Il Post (in Italian). 28 February 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Basilicata, Bardi: accordo programmatico con Italia Viva". La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno. (in Italian). 16 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Calenda's Azione to support centre right in Basilicata". Agenzia ANSA. 18 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Calenda ha deciso, in Basilicata Azione va con Vito Bardi e il centrodestra". HuffPost Italia (in Italian). 18 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Milano, Ugo (16 March 2024). "Basilicata, campo largo in pezzi, Lacerenza si ritira. Calenda: 'Dilettanti allo sbaraglio'. E Renzi appoggia il candidato del centrodestra". Open (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Carratelli, Niccolò (18 March 2024). "In Basilicata Calenda con Bardi, il campo largo è del centrodestra. L'ex governatore Pittella: 'Per Pd e 5S dovevamo morire come gli ebrei'". La Stampa (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Grossi, Lorenzo (22 March 2024). "Vito Bardi, il governatore cerca la conferma in Basilicata". Il Giornale (in Italian). Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ Amato, Leo (23 March 2024). "Regionali in Basilicata, Bardi premiato da liste e sondaggi". Il Quotidiano del Sud (in Italian). Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ "Basilicata, ecco i tre candidati per le Regionali: Bardi, Marrese, Follia". La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno (in Italian). 23 March 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ "Basilicata, presentate le liste: Marcello Pittella con Azione nel centrodestra. Per la presidenza Marrese e Follia sfidano Bardi". La Repubblica (in Italian). 23 March 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ "L'intervista alla moglie del generale Vito Bardi". Iustitia (in Italian). 30 March 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
- ^ Leccese, Domenico (19 February 2019). "Chi è il candidato Vito Bardi?". Le Cronache Lucane (in Italian). Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ "Vito Bardi". Consiglio Regionale della Basilicata (in Italian). 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
- ^ Belfiore, Giorgia (14 March 2024). "Chi è Vito Bardi: età, partito, curriculum, moglie e figli". Tag24 (in Italian). Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ "Basilicata: chi è Vito Bardi, ex generale della Finanza". Agenzia ANSA (in Italian). 23 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
External links
edit- 24 interventi di Vito Bardi at Radio Radicale (in Italian)
- Vito Bardi at Dipartimento per gli Affari Interni e Territoriali (in Italian)