Franco Manzato is a Venetist

Venetism

Venetian nationalism is an ideology and a regionalist movement demanding more autonomy, or even independence from Italy, for Veneto, and promoting the re-discovery the Republic of Venice's heritage, traditions, culture and language...

 politician. He is a member of Liga Veneta

Liga Veneta

Liga Veneta is a regionalist political party based in Veneto, combining Venetism and fiscal federalism. Liga Veneta is by far the largest party in Veneto and the party of Luca Zaia, President of Veneto since March 2010.It was the first party of its kind in Northern Italy, predating Umberto...

–Lega Nord.

After a degree in philosophy

Philosophy

Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...

, Manzato begun to work as consultant for small and medium-size enterprises and joined Liga Veneta in 1984, seven years before the foundation of Lega Nord. In the 2000 regional election

Venetian regional election, 2000

The Venetian regional election of 2000 took place on 16 April 2000.Giancarlo Galan was re-elected for the third time President of the Region by a landslide over the centre-left candidate Massimo Cacciari ....

 he was elected to the Regional Council of Veneto

Regional Council of Veneto

The Regional Council of Veneto is the regional parliament of Veneto.It was first elected in 1970, when the ordinary Regions were instituted, on the basis of the Constitution of Italy of 1948.-Composition:...

. He was then re-elected in 2005

Venetian regional election, 2005

The Venetian regional election of 2005 took place on 3-4 April 2005.Giancarlo Galan was re-elected for the third time in a row President of the Region, but the support for him was diminished by the presence of a third candidate, Giorgio Panto, who picked votes both from the centre-right and the...

 and was party leader in the Council since 2002 until 2008, when he became regional minister of Agriculture and Tourism in Galan III Government

Galan III Government

The Galan III Government was the government of Veneto from 19 May 2005 to 19 April 2010....

 in place of Luca Zaia

Luca Zaia

Luca Zaia is an Italian Venetist politician, member of Liga Veneta–Lega Nord.Since March 2010 Zaia is President of Veneto...

.

Re-elected in 2010

Venetian regional election, 2010

The Venetian regional election of 2010 took place on 28–29 March 2010, as part of Italy's big round of regional elections.Luca Zaia, rising star of Liga Veneta–Lega Nord, was elected President by a landslide. With the support of 60.2% of Venetians, he was the most voted President of Veneto since...

, he is currently regional minister of Agriculture in Zaia I Government

Zaia I Government

The Zaia I Government has been the government of Veneto since 19 April 2010....

.