Rome, August 8 - Former minister and Christian Democrat power-broker Antonio Gava died in Rome on Friday at the age of 78 after a long illness. Gava, who was born in Castellammare di Stabia, dominated Neapolitan politics for decades and enjoyed a reputation for largesse and old-style political fixing. Nicknamed the 'Viceroy of Naples', he was known for his trade-mark large-brimmed hat, ivory-handled walking stick, gold ring and a cigar between his lips. In a long and seemingly unsinkable political career, he also served as a minister for numerous governments in the 1980s, retiring in 1990 as interior minister in Giulio Andreotti's administration following a stroke. But Gava was also haunted by accusations of associating with the powerful Alfieri clan of the Naples' Mafia, the Camorra, for which he went to trial in 1993. In...
[read full story]
Your Web Site
