After a long illness Filippo Cavazzuti passed away, 79 years, from Modena, great economist, full professor of Finance at the University of Bologna and founder of Promethea, pupil of Nino Andreatta and right-hand man of Carlo Azeglio Ciampi who wanted him with him as undersecretary of the Treasury in the Prodi government, for four legislatures between 1983 and 1996 senator of the Independent Left, commissioner of the Consob but above all great lord of theeconomy and of policy, always lived with great competence, great passion, great independence of judgment and fine irony.
"Filippo's contribution to Italy - says a message from Prime Minister Mario Draghi who was a longtime friend of Cavazzuti - was fundamental".
FIRST online the loss is doubly bitter because from the first hour Cavazzuti was an assiduous and very passionate collaborator of our newspaper, on which he wrote until a few months ago: the proven proof of the very strong bond that has always made us proud between Cavazzuti and FIRSTonline was the choice to give away his latest e-book "With hindsight” to those who have subscribed to our newsletter and who, by confirming it, will be the way to always feel Filippo among us and to treasure his unforgettable teachings.
"Economist and refined intellectual, his political commitment was characterized by rigor and concreteness": this is how the mayor of Modena, Gian Carlo Muzzarelli recalled him, who added: "We remember him for his competence, but also for his polite ways , reasoned and never over the top, for his commitment to politics, for having made available to our community the skills acquired in a life of study".
Cavazzuti had one solid culture and a very lively intelligence but he has always thought that a true economist should not get lost in the labyrinth of often self-referential theories but should put his expertise at the service of the community to help solve the problems at hand by improving the well-being of citizens and reducing inequalities.
Among the many memories that crowd my mind in this very sad moment and that move me, I want to point out one that has always struck me a lot and which alone is enough to testify to the intellectual honesty of Filippo Cavazzuti and his teacher Nino Andreatta who, when he was appointed Minister of the Treasury, called him to be part of his team of economic advisers. Cavazzuti was proud of him but before accepting the appointment he did not hesitate to confide his doubts to Andreatta: "Professor - Cavazzuti told him with great candor - I am honored to become your economic adviser but, to be honest, I must tell you that I am not a Christian Democrat like she". Andreatta's dry response: "I'm concerned about the DC, I'm interested in your expertise and for this reason I want to have you by my side". Characters from other times but whose cultural and ideal lesson we will never forget. This is the legacy that Andreatta left us and that Filippo Cavazzuti leaves us now and it is the only consolation of a moment that his passing makes very sad.
* The whole FIRSTonline team is close to Filippo Cavazzuti's wife and two daughters, to whom we send our most sincere and deepest condolences.
