“I learned that I was registered in the register of suspects for a hypothesis of corruption”: with these words, spread in a video published on social media, the president of the Calabria Region Roberto Occhiuto He informed the public opinion of the start of an investigation yesterday Prosecutor of Catanzaro. The Governor chose the way of transparency, explaining that he confided “fully” in the work of the judiciary and reaffirming the correctness of his work. The news comes in a moment of great political visibility for Occhiuto, now a key figure in the geography of the Italian center -right.
From studies in economics to the world of communication
Born in Cosenza On May 13, 1969, Roberto Occhiuto graduated in Economic Sciences fromUniversity of Calabria and starts his professional career in the communication sector, becoming publicist journalist and director of a Calabrian television network. Already in those years, Occhiuto began to build a public profile based on a narrative of redemption and efficiency, elements that will become distinctive features also of his political action.
A rooted and transversal political path
His entry into politics takes place very young, with the Christian democracy. After the election as a municipal councilor of Cosenza in 1993, his path is intertwined with different themes of the Catholic center: Ppi, Cdu, CCD. In the 2000 adheres to Forza Italiawith which he is elected to the Calabrian regional council, resulting in the youngest adviser on his list.
Later, due to internal disagreements with the local party management, he passes to CCD and subsequently flows into theUDCwith which he is reconfirmed in 2005 with beyond 16,000 preferences.
In 2008 he made his debut a Montecitorio among the ranks of the UDC, to then return to 2013 in Forza Italiawhere it becomes one of the most recognizable voices of the parliamentary group. In the XVIII legislatureis chosen as a vicar group leader, and then promoted group leader in the Chamber in 2021.
The government of Calabria
In 2021, Occhiuto was chosen by the center -right as a candidate at the helm of the Calabria Region, in a difficult political context, marked by the premature disappearance of Jole Santelli. The election campaign is characterized by measured tones and a program focused on health, infrastructure and attractiveness of investments. Gets ample consensus, with the 54.5% of the votes.
A few days after the settlement, the government appoints it Extraordinary Commissioner for Healthentrusting him one of the most complex dossiers in the South. Occhiuto faces the challenge with a decision maker approach, asking the “white paper” government for the choice of his collaborators.
A central role in Forza Italia
With the disappearance of Berlusconi, Forza Italia has started a process of internal reorganization. In the first post-Berlusconi congress, held in February 2024, Occhiuto is elected National deputy secretaryalongside the leader Antonio Tajani. A role that consecrates its influence also at national level, confirming its figure as one of the strategic references of the party, especially in the south.
A season still open
Despite the latest judicial news, which Occhiuto himself has chosen to make public without waiting for formal communications, his political profile remains that of a reformist administrator, convinced supporter of a south protagonist and less assisted. His sober and concrete style has collected consent even outside the Calabrian borders, in a party that today looks to him as one of his most solid levers for the future.
It remains to be understood how the investigation will evolve, but at the moment – as the president himself reiterated – “there is nothing to fear”. The political season of Roberto Occhiuto, in any case, does not appear at all over.