“Franceschini and Parkinson’s, a lesson in dignity”: Italian politicians rally around former minister

Dario Franceschini’s decision to speak publicly about living with Parkinson’s disease has drawn an unusual show of support across Italy’s political spectrum.

The former culture minister told Corriere della Sera that he has lived with the diagnosis since 2020. His interview quickly circulated online, prompting messages from figures who had worked with him and from politicians in different parties.

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Thank you Dario for this invaluable lesson in courage, dignity and strength.

Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte thanked Franceschini for what he called “an invaluable lesson in courage, dignity and strength.” Conte said the interview combined self-irony and calm detachment with an account of pain and suffering. He also highlighted Franceschini’s message to people facing Parkinson’s: do not isolate yourself and continue living.

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Your interview, which includes not even a hint of self-irony and calm detachment that softens pain and suffering, enriches us all.

Conte said many people dealing with serious illness or difficult conditions could find encouragement in Franceschini’s words. He recalled working alongside him during the Conte II government and praised his perseverance, institutional sensitivity and ability to look beyond immediate pressures.

Carlo Calenda, leader of Azione, also sent Franceschini a message of support. He referred to his grandfather, filmmaker Luigi Comencini, who developed Parkinson’s early and continued making films late in life with determination, treatment and family care.

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Dario Franceschini is a great politician. Speaking openly about a difficult health condition is an act of honesty and courage.

Support also came from Franceschini’s Democratic Party colleagues. Goffredo Bettini described disclosure of a difficult health condition as an act of honesty and courage, while Sandro Ruotolo said acknowledging vulnerability could require more courage than appearing strong. Former health minister Roberto Speranza similarly said that speaking about personal fragility can become an act of great strength.

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There are moments when speaking about one’s vulnerability becomes an act of great strength.