Antonio Michelozzi
Antonio Michelozzi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 33rd President of Marirana | |
| In office 15th October 1963 – 27th March 1965 | |
| Preceded by | Raimondo Zamparini |
| Succeeded by | Paolo Di Quintino |
| In office 15th October 1953 – 15th October 1958 | |
| Preceded by | Emilio Štromajer |
| Succeeded by | Silvano Brazzi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 24, 1899 Aquinas, Vittico, Marirana |
| Died | March 27, 1965 (aged 65) Moticello, Ritaldi, Marirana |
| Political party | Anti-Revolutionary Party |
| Spouse | Maria Michelozzi |
| Children | 5 |
| Alma mater | University of Aquinas New Haven University |
| Occupation | Politician Businessmen |
Antonio Michelozzi (24th May 1899 - 27th March 1965, aged 65) was a Mariranan populist who served as President of Marirana on two non-consecutive occasions between 1953 to his assassination in 1965. Known popularly as "il capo" (the chief) Michelozzi is considered to be the most important political figure of the Fifth Federative Republic of Marirana with his Anti-Revolutionary Party dominating the politics of that era.
Born in 1899, Michelozzi was the son of a conservative rancher. Having become rich in the post-war period from construction contracts Michelozzi was elected Governor of San Marco in 1940 as a member of the Rally for the Republic building up his own political machine separate from the national one led by Niccolò Pellegrini. He broke from the RPR in 1945 forming his own populist party, the Anti-Revolutionary Party, being seen as the favourites to win the 1945 election. This did not occur after Jordi i Teixidor overthrew the government; Michelozzi soon became associated with the anti-Teixidor opposition with the RPR and PAR cooperating against the i Teixidor dictatorship.
Following i Teixidor's ousting in 1952 Michelozzi returned from exile to contest the 1953 elections; getting 57% of the vote he became the first member of the Anti-Revolutionary Party to ascend to office, with his ascent to the presidency becoming the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties ever in Mariranan history. In the 1953 election he ran on a populist manifesto calling for import substitution industrialisation, economic development projects and pro-labour policies.
A forward thinking leader who supported long term development, Michelozzi's administration was marked with massive industrialisation and economic development, with the economic expansion initiated by his government nicknamed the "Mariranan miracle" with the average growth rate levelling at 4-8% per annum. In foreign policy Michelozzi supported forging ties with other Asterian countries whilst calling for the return of the Cittadella from Roeselle. Michelozzi's rule however was also marked by rising corruption, pork barrel projects and increasing inflation.
Due to the prevalence of the Pact of Democracy (patto di democrazia) the early years of the Michelozzi presidencies were marked by political stability. However this stability broke down after Michelozzi publicly broke with his then-successor, Raimondo Zamparini, over Zamparini's more conservative policies, leading to Michelozzi during his third presidency to promote centre-leftist Romano Emanuele Orlando to high office. However by the 1960's the Mariranan miracle had ended leading to increased political polarisation resulting in Michelozzi to be shot by a left-wing activist in 1965. The death of Michelozzi would see the split of the PAR in left and right wing factions and the ultimate collapse of the third republic in 1972.
Michelozzi is sometimes considered the "father of modern Marirana" due to his pro-development policies, commitment to democracy and introduction of mass politics. His family continue to dominate the PAR with his son Oliviero having served as President whilst his granddaughter Rosa Michelozzi served as Prime Minister.