Mario Martinelli

[1] His father, Abbondio, was a dyer worker and trade unionist and was among the founders of Italian People's Party which was established in 1919.

[1] Martinelli was arrested by the political police at his home in Como in August 1944 due to his resistance activities and released in April 1945.

[5] Following the end of World War II he joined the Christian Democrat Party and founded its Como branch.

[1] Then he elected to the Italian parliament in 1946 and became a member of the national council of the Christian Democrat Party in 1948.

[1] From 1958 Martinelli served in the European Parliament as part of the Christian Democrat group and was the head of the transport committee.