Pier Luigi Bersani was born in Bettola on September 29, 1951. He attended high school in Piacenza, and attended the University of Bologna where he graduated from Philosophy. He started his professional career as a teacher. Next to his professional activity he dedicated himself to Politics. His political career started at the regional council of Emilia-Romagna where he was elected President in 1993, and re-elected in 1995. He resigned in 1996 as he was appointed by Romano Prodi, as Minister of Commerce. From 1999 - 2001, he served as Minister of Transports. In 2001 he was appointed treasurer of the party and founded with Vincenzo Visco founded ‘Nens’ (New Economics New Society). In 2004, he was elected to the European Parliament representing the North-West region for the Democrats of the Left. Ahead of the elections at the party Congress of Rome in 2005, he presented election guidelines. In 2006, the Prodi II Cabinet assigned him as the Minister of Economic Development. In 2007, he was in the national coordination and treasurer of the DS. Pier Luigi Bersani is one of the protagonists of the Italian Democratic Party and is currently the National Secretary of the PD.
