The blitz was unexpected. But his name had been in the air for a long time. Elisabetta Belloni, from Monday in Piazza Dante headquarters of the Dis (information and security department), has always remained at the helm of the general secretariat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with her boundless passion for diplomatic action. If the prefect Gennaro Vecchione could be replaced, as it ventilated after the fall of the government led by Giuseppe Conte, the only strong name was his. In 36 years of diplomatic career he has accumulated an experience like few others. And she wins the challenge within the challenge: the first woman at the top of the information and security services.
Traces of pink at the top of the Mae
Born in 1958, graduated in Political Science from Luiss in Rome, Elisabetta Belloni entered a diplomatic career in 1985. Many still remember her as a young head of the Crisis Unit at the Farnesina, and gradually the Directorates-General for Cooperation, then Resources, then again head of cabinet with the then minister Paolo Gentiloni. Up to the helm of the general secretariat: the pinnacle of career. Now, a new life. Apparently. Not everyone knows how relations between diplomats and intelligence are continuous, sometimes tight, in some cases indispensable. The world of spies is not easy. But Belloni enters known by all, appreciated by most.
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Roman friendliness and frankness
The new director of Dis has a boundless network of relations in the world of institutions and a transversal consensus in politics. Character is rewarded: she does not renounce the pride of the ambassador, always a bit snobbish, but Belloni is frank, direct, very curious, a smile ready even for laughter. Always available, very informed but confidential, a reference for anyone. His relations, for example, with the director of Aisi, prefect Mario Parente – Prime Minister Draghi renewed his office for another year – and with Aise, Gianni Caravelli, are very good. As well as those with Franco Gabrielli, delegated authority. With Prime Minister Mario Draghi, a multi-year acquaintance.
Passions: cooking, the countryside, his dogs
The strategic sense of determination and prudence is set aside in the personal dimension, his many friends know this well. Elisabetta Belloni can tell about the discovery of a new flour mixture: when she can, she makes homemade bread. He spends the weekend in his beloved Tuscan countryside where he does not disdain, on the contrary, the manual activities of land care. But his great passion is above all his beloved dogs, more than one, German shepherds and more. Like many, it has happened to her that someone occasionally got lost in the fields or in the woods. The news of his discovery was one of the most awaited and liberating.