Ciampi, Carlo Azeglio, 1920–2016, Italian banker and political leader, b. Livorno, grad. Scuola Normale Superiore de Pisa (1941), Univ. of Pisa (1946). He joined the Bank of Italy (1946) and worked in its central administration beginning in 1960, eventually becoming its governor (1979–93). At the height of corruption investigations that led to the arrests of hundreds of business and political figures, Ciampi became premier (1993–94) of a technocratic government after Giuliano Amato resigned. Ciampi reined in government spending and encouraged privatization in an effort to stimulate the economy. He later served as treasury and budget minister (1996–99) under premiers Prodi and D'Alema, preparing the country for the adoption of the euro, and then as president (1999–2006). He was succeeded as president by Giorgio Napolitano.
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