Benigno Zaccagnini (; 17 April 1912 – 5 November 1989) was an Italian politician and physician.
Biography Born in Faenza, Zaccagnini graduated in Pediatrics in 1937. During World War II he acted as partisan, collaborating with Arrigo Boldrini in the liberation of Romagna.
Zaccagnini was among the founders of the Christian Democracy (DC), and was elected at the Constituent Assembly (1946) and the Chamber of Deputies (1948) of the new-born Italian Republic. He was a member of the Christian Democratic wing more favourable to a collaboration with left (or centre-left) parties. He was confirmed at the Chambers of Deputies until 1979, when he was elected to the Italian Senate.
In 1959, Zaccagnini was appointed Minister of Labour and Social Security in the Segni II Cabinet, a position he maintained also in the following government led by Fernando Tambroni. In 1960 he was appointed Minister of Public Works in the Fanfani III Cabinet.
In 1975, Zaccagnini was elected National Secretary of DC, remaining in place until 1980 when he was replaced by Flaminio Piccoli. In 1984 he was elected in the European Parliament. In 1978, during his tenure as national secretary, Democrazia Cristiana's president and Zaccagnini's mentor Aldo Moro was kidnapped by terrorist group Brigate Rosse. The prisoner wrote numerous letters to Zaccagnini, initially invoking his help, then accusing him and other DC leaders of sacrificing him in order to save the new government, which Moro had been instrumental to form.
Zaccagnini died at Ravenna in 1989.
Electoral history ElectionHouseConstituencyPartyVotesResult 1946 Constituent Assembly Bologna–Ferrara–Ravenna–Forlì DC 11,121 Elected 1948 Chamber of Deputies Bologna–Ferrara–Ravenna–Forlì DC 16,896 Elected 1953 Chamber of Deputies Bologna–Ferrara–Ravenna–Forlì DC 23,611 Elected 1958 Chamber of Deputies Bologna–Ferrara–Ravenna–Forlì DC 23,611 Elected 1963 Chamber of Deputies Bologna–Ferrara–Ravenna–Forlì DC 43,603 Elected 1968 Chamber of Deputies Bologna–Ferrara–Ravenna–Forlì DC 37,866 Elected 1972 Chamber of Deputies Bologna–Ferrara–Ravenna–Forlì DC 39,444 Elected 1976 Chamber of Deputies Bologna–Ferrara–Ravenna–Forlì DC 101,911 Elected 1979 Chamber of Deputies Bologna–Ferrara–Ravenna–Forlì DC 67,603 Elected 1979 European Parliament North-West Italy DC 737,499 Elected 1983 Senate of the Republic Emilia-Romagna – Borgotaro-Salsomaggiore DC 25,798 Elected 1987 Senate of the Republic Emilia-Romagna – Fiorenzuola-Fidenza DC 32,787 Elected
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