Terrorism, the portrait of a generation: the case of Marco Donat-Cattin

"The news that broke out in May 1980 was a shock for the country: the repentant Brigadier Patrizio Peci reveals, among other things, that Marco Donat-Cattin, son of the then deputy secretary of the DC, is also at the top of the Front Line , that is, of the party that has practically governed the Republic since its birth. Then, within a few days , just as Marco, who plays at the top of 'Prima Linea', is accused of the murder of the magistrate Emilio Alessandrini, the case explodes ".

Monica Galfré, professor of Contemporary History at the University of Florence , sheds light in the book "The terrorist son" (Einaudi, p. 273, 18.50 euro) on a a political and family affair that is part of a season of individual and collective mourning and tragedies.

A political scandal arises. One of the most serious in republican history.

“To be called into question is none other than Prime Minister Francesco Cossiga , accused of having transferred confidential information to Donat-Cattin, who at that moment is deputy secretary of his own party, thus favoring the escape of his son. To this is immediately added a set of disturbing elements and circumstances that transform the story into a real spy story. In the hardest year of the subversive attack, just two years after the kidnapping and murder of Aldo Moro, the news that one of the fathers of the Republic is also the father of a terrorist is sensational news . The main protagonists of this story all pass to the scrutiny of justice. Marco, who immediately after being captured decides to collaborate, undergoes an infinite series of trials ”.

Who is Marco Donat-Cattin?

“Marco, born in 1953, is the last of his four children and has long since broken off relations with his family , except for occasional contacts with his mother and sister. It embodies the protagonism of a rebellious generation that deludes itself into having the world in its hand, despite the obscure perception of resting on quicksand ".

The relationship between Carlo Donat-Cattin and Francesco Cossiga is central to the book.

“The two appear linked by deep bonds of militancy and friendship. Cossiga later admitted that he had committed lightness due to a variety of different reasons. In his decision (certainly wrong in a prime minister) to inform Donat-Cattin of his son's position, the fact that at that moment we still do not know what Marco is guilty of is affected, Peci's revelations are indeed very cryptic. In essence, Cossiga's attitude, although institutionally wrong, appears to be more understandable from a human point of view ”.

How does the PCI behave?

“It seems that within the leadership of the PCI there are some voices in defense of Cossiga. However, it is Berlinguer himself who shows himself adamant , who organizes a dinner at Pecchioli's house to put Cossiga on the spot. 'Well, don't you want to resign? But then you distance yourself from Donat-Cattin and explain that the father of a terrorist cannot be the deputy secretary of the party '. And Cossiga: 'Enri', we are both party men, fuck off ** ulo! '".

There is a sense of anger and regret. Marco Donat-Cattin's could have been the best generation.

“It is a very difficult speech to make, for various reasons. After all, what strikes me most in the tragedy of the years of lead, a question to which I cannot give an answer, is the contrast between the vitality of these young people and the tragic outcome of their projects , between life and death, which in the terrorism oppose each other with extreme and irreducible drama ”.