Bettino Craxi

Craxi became the first socialist Prime Minister of Italy in August 1983, leading a five-party coalition government. His premiership marked a shift in Italian politics, with the Socialist Party gaining prominence over the Communist Party.

Craxi's government lasted from August 1983 to April 1987, becoming the longest-serving government of the First Italian Republic. It implemented economic reforms, including the reduction of inflation and the reform of the pension system, while also facing criticism for its handling of the Mafia.

Craxi refused to allow U.S. forces to arrest the hijackers of the Achille Lauro cruise ship at the Sigonella airbase, asserting Italian sovereignty. This led to a diplomatic confrontation with the United States, but Craxi's stance was popular domestically.

Craxi was implicated in the Tangentopoli corruption scandal, which exposed widespread bribery in Italian politics. He was investigated for receiving illegal party funding, leading to his political downfall and the collapse of the Socialist Party.

Facing multiple corruption convictions, Craxi fled to Hammamet, Tunisia, in 1994 to avoid arrest. He lived in self-imposed exile until his death in 2000, never returning to Italy, and was convicted in absentia for corruption and illegal party financing.