[1] Born in Moncalieri, Piedmont, into a working-class family, Chiamparino obtained a diploma in ragioneria [it] and then graduated in political science at the University of Turin, where he worked as a researcher until 1975.

[2][3] That same year, he started his political career in his native city as head of the Italian Communist Party in the town council of Moncalieri.

[4] He saw the Olympics as a way for the city to invest in major logistic and infrastructures, increase cultural and tourist initiatives, and promote Turin on the worldwide stage.

[4] As mayor of Turin, Chiamparino supported European integration and the completion of the Turin–Lyon high-speed railway, and said that the city must be a human and safe community, where minorities and vulnerable people are part of its civic society, to ensure its long-term success.

[4] He developed several projects to improve the city's quality of life, including housing, education, and the elderly, as well as the integration of first and second-generation non-European Union immigrants, and training-linked employment prospects.

The Renziani wing of the Democratic Party (PD), the party Chiamparino belonged to, identified him as their flag candidate as opposed to the official candidate Franco Marini, the former Italian minister and president of the Senate of the Republic, who was also supported by The People of Freedom, Civic Choice, and later on by Brothers of Italy.

[13] In February 2014, Chiamparino resigned from his position at Fondazione San Paolo to pursue a presidential run for the Piedmont region.

[20][21][22] In the election held on 26 May, Chiamparino lost 49.9%–35.8% to the centre-right coalition candidate Alberto Cirio, and acknowledged the defeat.

They include the chapter Le ristrutturazioni industriali in Problemi del movimento sindacale in Italia 1943-1973, published by Feltrinelli in 1976; Municipio.

Perchè sì, written with fellow politician Piero Fassino about the Turin–Lyon high-speed railway (TAV) and published by Baldini & Castoldi in 2018.