Born in Reggio nell'Emilia, he graduated in Political science.

In the 1970s he was collaborator of Giuseppe Dossetti, then of Benigno Zaccagnini and Mino Martinazzoli.

In 1991, he was among the members of DC who voted against Italy's participation in the Gulf War.

Re-elected deputy in the 2001 Italian general election, in 2002 he disbanded the PPI to join Democracy is Freedom – The Daisy, a new party led by Francesco Rutelli.

In 2002 he was returned to judgment to trial with the charge of corruption, but on 15 April 2003, the Preliminary Judge granted him the attenuating and declared the offense prescribed.