Ignazio Benito Maria La Russa (born 18 July 1947) is an Italian politician who is serving as president of the Senate of the Republic since 13 October 2022.

His father, Antonino La Russa, served as secretary of the National Fascist Party (PNF) for Paternò during the 1940s and joined the Italian Social Movement (MSI) after the war, being elected to the Parliament several times.

La Russa had two brothers, both of them involved in politics: Vincenzo, a former senator for Christian Democracy (DC), and Romano, a former member of the European Parliament for the MSI's legal successor, the National Alliance.

In the 1994 Italian general election, which was won by Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right coalition, La Russa was re-elected to the Chamber and appointed deputy speaker of the house.

[14] In the 1996 Italian general election won by Romano Prodi's centre-left coalition, La Russa was re-elected to the Chamber for the single-member constituency of Milan with 41,598 votes.

[18] In the run-up to the 2008 Italian general election, AN merged with Berlusconi's Forza Italia forming The People of Freedom (PdL), which La Russa joined, becoming party's national coordinator along with Sandro Bondi and Denis Verdini.

In November 2009, La Russa challenged the judgement of the Lautsi v. Italy of the European Court of Human Rights, which contested the display of the crucifix in Italian classrooms.

[19] At the end of 2009, with the 2010 financial law, La Russa launched Difesa Servizi S.p.A. a company with the aim of enhancing the defense's brand and assets.

[32] On 11 December 2022, La Russa announced the proposal of a law aiming at introducing a voluntary military service for young people between 18 and 25 years old.

[39] Throughout his entire political career, thanks to his professional background, he acted as spokesman for the Italian right-wing on justice-related subjects, as well as issues related to the security of citizens, immigration, reduction of the tax burden, and safeguarding national identity.

A press conference of then Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi held on 10 March 2010 was interrupted several times by the political activist Gian Rocco Carlomagno.

[41] On 12 February 2011, La Russa kicked and insulted AnnoZero journalist Corrado Formigli, who wanted to ask him questions about Berlusconi's sex scandals.

[42] Moreover, La Russa was being investigated by Italy's Court of Audit for embezzlement in relation to the use of state flights to attend the football match between Inter Milan and Schalke 04 on 5 April 2011.

"[45] In his house in Milan, La Russa collects several statues and memorabilia of Benito Mussolini and his fascist movement, as well as photos and paintings about Italy's colonial campaigns.