|
Educated in the Catholic institutes of Torino, he dedicated his
studies to philosophy and political-economic subjects, showing
a passion for journalism from a very young age. Called to armed
service in 1940, he fought in the Piemonte Resistance movement
in the Canavese Valley.
After the war he returned to journalism, writing above all, for
the Torino daily newspaper Il Popolo Nuovo. Between 1948
and 1956 he undertook a number of trade union positions, secretary
of the LCGIL and of the CISL. He intensified his political activities
for the Democrazia Cristiana during this period, holding
the posts of city councillor, provincial councillor, and
of Member of Parliament. He became a Member of Parliament in 1958
and Senator in 1979, he was Vice Secretary of the DC from 1978
to 1980. In the party he represented the social left, linked to
the historical social and trade union element of the Catholic movement,
expressed by the group ‘Forze Nuove’, of which
Donat-Cattin was the undisputed leader. Very much aware of the
link between politics and culture, he founded various journals,
in particular Settegiorni (Seven Days) [1967-1974], Terzafase
(Thirdphase) [1983-1993] and, on regional planning, Lettere
Piemontesi (Piemontese Letters) [1982-1993].
His experience in government was particularly intense. As Undersecretary
for state participations between 1963 and 1968, he came to the
attention of the country as Minister for Labour [1969 –
1972], above all in the turbulent trade union season of 1969, which
culminated in the approval of the Workers Statute. He was later
Minister for Public Works in Southern Italy [July 1973 – March
1974], Minister for Industry [November 1974 – November 1978],
Minister for Health [August 1986 – May 1989], and again Minister
for Labour [from July 1989]
His political experience was characterised by certain schools of
thought and action, constantly recalled: the effort to place social
questions at the centre of all political action, conciliation of
solidarity and freedom, faithfulness to the democratic system and
the values of the State.
|
