Raffaele Costa (born 8 September 1936) is an Italian politician. He was the president of the Province of Cuneo from June 2004 to June 2009. He was previously a member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies representing the Italian Liberal Party and later Forza Italia between 1976 and 2003, and was also a member of the European Parliament of the European People's Party until June 2004. His son, Enrico Costa, is also a politician and was Italian Minister of Regional Affairs and Autonomies in the Renzi Cabinet and the Gentiloni Cabinet.

Early life and education

Costa was born in Mondovì. He holds a degree in Law and Political Science.

Parliamentary career

He was elected to the Italian Chamber of Deputies in 1976, 1979, 1983, 1987, 1992, 1994, 1996 and 2001.

As Minister

He was Minister without Portfolio for the co-ordination of community political and regional affairs (1992), Minister of Health (1993), Minister of Transport and Minister of the Merchant Marine in the Ciampi government.

As Under-Secretary of State

Costa was parliamentary under-secretary of state in the:

In the European Parliament

Other appointments

Author

Costa has written four books:

Publisher

He founded and published the periodical Il Duemila in 1971.