Graduated in Law at the University of Genoa, he was member of Parliament for the last four legislatures.On May, 2008 he was appointed Minister for the Economic Development in the 4th Berlusconi government. From 2006 to March 2008 he was President of the Parliamentary Committee for the Intelligence and Security Services and for State Secret Control.I nthe third Berlusconi government he was Minister of Productive Activities. In the second Berlusconi government he was initially Minister of Internal Affairs (from 11 June, 2001) and then Minister for the Implementation of the Government Programme (from 31 June, 2003).