The long-standing Radical Party leader

Emma Bonino has died at the age of 78. The Council of Ministers will meet on Monday to discuss her state funeral

She was a long-standing leader of the Radical Movement, always standing by Marco Pannella’s side

by Rome Editorial Staff

11 September 2026

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4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

The note

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Emma Bonino has died. This was reported by Più Europa. The long-standing leader of the Radical Movement, now a member of +Europa, was 78 years old. Admitted to the Santo Spirito hospital in Rome on 7 September, she was discharged from the hospital’s intensive care unit yesterday and transferred to a private facility, following an agreement between her attending doctor and the doctors at Santo Spirito. Her condition was still described as ‘delicate’ yesterday. The Senate observed a minute’s silence in her memory, followed by the Chamber of Deputies at 11.00.

Bonino has had a very long career in Italian and European institutions, which began in 1976 with her first election to the Chamber of Deputies. Having come of political age alongside Marco Pannella in the Radical Party, she made a name for herself in the 1970s through her campaigning for the introduction of divorce and the legalisation of abortion in Italia.

It is understood that the Council of Ministers will meet on Monday 14 September at 10.00 am to discuss the state funerals of the former senator and the former Member of Parliament, Raffaele Costa.

The note

‘Emma has left us, but she will never truly leave us. Today we are not merely losing our leader; we are losing one of the most clear-sighted, courageous and free-spirited figures in the political history of our country and the free world. Emma was ‘chosen by radical politics’ when a ban changed her young life. And from that moment on, she decided she would fight to ensure that it would never happen to anyone else. Activist, Member of Parliament, minister, European Commissioner. Always radically free.” This is what is stated in a press release from +Europa.

‘Her life,’ the tribute continues, ‘was a long struggle against everything that denies freedoms: against clandestine abortion, against world hunger, against party politics, against female genital mutilation, against the abuse of justice, against genocide, against every form of authoritarianism. But even more numerous were his battles for democracy, for the rule of law, for international justice, for the rights and duties of every person and every family, for women’s self-determination, for the freedom to choose, right up to the very end. And for a united, democratic and federal Europe: the United States of Europe. This is her legacy: it does not matter how many times one must lose before finally winning and securing freedom for all. There are no words to describe the pain and the void we feel today. From tomorrow, we will try to find the right words to turn the gratitude we feel for having been able to fight alongside her into the courage to keep fighting, just as she taught us. Thank you, Emma, from the bottom of our hearts.’

Mattarella: ‘Deep sorrow; he left his mark on the life of the Republic’

“The passing of Emma Bonino is a source of deep sorrow,” emphasised the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella. “She left her mark on the life of the Republic through her tenacious and steadfast commitment. A Radical, a liberal, a feminist and a staunch Europeanist, she played a leading role in movements and reforms that have shaped the course of our society.” So said the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, in remembering Emma Bonino. “As a Member of Parliament, party leader, Minister for European Affairs and later Minister for Foreign Affairs, and European Commissioner, Emma Bonino was a leading figure not only in Italia: her commitment to combating world hunger, opposing the death penalty, and supporting the International Criminal Court were sources of pride for the Republic.”

Memories of politics

Immediate reactions and tributes from the world of politics. “For decades, Emma Bonino was a strong and recognisable voice in Italian politics, championing her ideas with determination,” wrote Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on social media. “Our backgrounds and perspectives have been very different, but this has never prevented me from recognising her influence and role in our nation’s public life,” she added. “My condolences go to her family and loved ones.” “She was my colleague in Brussels, an intelligent woman with whom I always had a respectful and fair exchange of views, even though we often held different values and political views,” wrote Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on X. What united them, the leader of Forza Italia recalled, was “a strong pro-European sentiment”. “I remember her for the many battles she fought with strength and tenacity, which always characterised her long public service,” wrote the President of the Senate Ignazio La Russa on X.

According to Elly Schlein, secretary of the PD, ‘Emma Bonino embodied all the qualities that should characterise those involved in politics: rigour, seriousness, competence, determination, courage and passion. Throughout her life, she devoted herself tirelessly and selflessly to the promotion and defence of the rights of individuals and peoples. She taught us that the freedom of each and every person is the foundation of any truly civilised society. She taught us to look beyond our borders, to the peoples who are suffering and need protection. She taught us that Europe – by striving for its true unity and its mission in the world – is our common home, which we must preserve from the attacks to which it is subjected. She taught us that democracy is as necessary as it is fragile, and that it requires all our care. With her passing, a piece of our country’s political and civic history is lost. Farewell, Emma; thank you for everything you taught us. May the earth lie lightly upon you.”

“Emma Bonino,” wrote the leader of the M5S, Giuseppe Conte, on Facebook, “has been deeply involved in politics, taking a leading role – with rare passion – in many battles for civil and social rights and freedoms that have shaped our country’s political and civil history. Her commitment has extended beyond national borders, contributing, amongst other things, to promoting: the establishment of the International Criminal Court and the abolition of the death penalty and the abhorrent practice of female genital mutilation.”

Carlo Calenda referred to the Radical Party leader as ‘a key figure in the civil struggles that led to the modernisation of this country’,