Giulio Santagata died in Modena at the age of 74. Santagata was an economist, one of the founders of the Ulivo, a close collaborator and friend of Romano Prodi, and a key player in the season of center-left governments. A former parliamentarian, first elected with the Margherita, he was minister for Program Implementation until 2008, but he had arrived at Palazzo Chigi as early as 1996 as Prodi's economic adviser, whom he then also followed to Brussels at the European Commission. Among the first to mourn him is Prodi himself. "I mourn the loss of a very dear friend to whom I was bound by feelings of deep affection. For years Giulio and I shared not only so much of private life, but also political battles, successes and defeats," said the former prime minister. "I will miss his lively intelligence, the frankness of his advice and his ability to find the ironic twist in the things of life and politics. Accompanying his remembrance on social media is his friend and fellow Vasco Rossi. "Hello Giulio, nice friend loyal and sincere! Intelligent ironic and cultured man. An extraordinary person left us today suddenly! I am very sad, but in my heart Giulio will never die. He will always remain alive in me. Long live Giulio Santagata." The condolences of politics are unanimous.
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