Franceschini’s many challenges

Dario Franceschini (50) is the new leader of the Italian PD (Partito Democratico).

He was elected on February 21 – after Veltroni’s retirement – by a large majority (1,047 votes to 92 ) against Arturo Parisi.

Franceschini is a lawyer and a novelist and he was a member of the Partito Popolare (Popular Party) and the Margherita (Daisy). He has served as Pd’s deputy-secretary – with Veltroni as the boss – from October 2007 through February 2009.

Veltroni’s resignation from the position of Pd Leader, came after the humiliating defeat in Sardinian’s regional polls against the new governor of the island (PdL’s candidate) Ugo Cappellaci – who won 52 percent of the votes. Former governor and left-wing opposition candidate Renato Soru won 43 percent of the votes.