Antonio Battisti

Antonio Battisti (born 17 March 3974) is an Istalian politician, who has served as dictator (formally Capo Supremo) of Istalia since 4042. Prior to his ascension to the position of effective dictator, he served four terms as President of Istalia, from 4028 to 4042.

Background and family
Battisti was born in 3974 to a middle-class Family in the rural Mezzodiurno region. When he was 8, his parents were killed in an automobile accident, with Battisti and his 3 siblings subsequently being placed in the custody of child protection services.

Despite having received little formal education during his childhood, Battisti was allowed to pursue a career in the Istalian armed forces following his original compulsory conscription from 3992 to 3994. Between 3995 and 3916, he served in the army, and ultimately reached the rank of lieutenant general.

Early political activities
Prior to its 3990 dissolution, Battisti was a member of the left-wing Party of the Democratic Revolution, having joined its youth section in 3988 at age 14. When the party dissolved, he joined the Istalian Communist Party, but left in 3995 when he formally joined the Istalian army.

Political career
While being an official founding member of the Socialist Democratic Party in 4010, Battisti retained a minor role in the party's management for the first years of its existence. Partly due to his past in the Istalian military, he was later elevated to the position of Defense Spokesperson in the Socialist Democratic Party in 4012, however. Salvatore Azzopardi formed the first PDS government in 4015, and two years later, Battisti was appointed Minister of Defense, serving until 4023.