A leader of the Sammarinese Communist Party, Barulli served as head of state of San Marino in 1988.
[6] As a leader of the Communist Party, Barulli advocated for Sammarinese economic self-sufficiency, arguing that dependency on tourism would be reduced whilst industries and agricultural sectors would be developed.
He represented the Sammarinese communists as a guest of honour at the tenth anniversary jubilee celebrations of the People's Republic of China in 1959.
[10] During a visit to the Soviet Union in January 1983, Barulli and the Sammarinese Communist Party chairman Ermenegildo Gasperoni were awarded with the Order of Friendship of Peoples at a ceremony in the Kremlin.
[11] Barulli served as one of the two Captains Regent (i.e. the head of state of San Marino) for one term between April and September 1988, along with Rosolino Martelli.