1963: He starts his political career in Bologna where he is elected regional councillor for the Christian Democrats in Reggio Emilia. A year later he leaves office to continue his academic career in Bologna, where in 1971 he becomes Professor of Industrial Organisation and Industrial Policy.

1978-1979: He is nominated Industry Minister under the Christian Democrat government of Giulio Andreotti.

1982-89 and 1993-94: The Christian Democrat government appoint him as chairman of the Institute for Industrial Reconstruction (IRI), the once mighty state-controlled industrial conglomerate. During this period he successfully privatises part of the more than 100 state-owned companies, including the banks Credito Italiano and Banca Commerciale Italiana.

1995: He founds the Ulivo – Olive Tree – centre-left coalition, a year after Silvio Berlusconi, the media mogul, creates a new centre-right party, Forza Italia.

1996: He is elected prime minister after the Ulivo beat Mr Berlusconi centre-right coalition with the support of the communist party Rifondazione Comunista.

1998: He resigns as prime minister after the communist party withdraws its support from the Prodi government following a dispute over labour policy.

1999: He becomes President of the European Commission for five years, presiding over two of its most impressive achievements: the launch of the euro as a physical currency in January 2002 and the European Union’s expansion to 25 from 15 member-states in May 2004.

2006: He is elected prime minister after winning a a general election with a thin-majority against Mr Berlusconi.

2008: After 20 months in power he resigns, having lost by five votes a vote of confidence in the Senate.

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