Stefano Bonaccini was born in Modena in 1967, he is married and has two daughters.

His career as public administrator began in 1990 when he became a young Councillor with responsibility for Youth Policy, Culture, Sports and Free Time in Campogalliano town, near Modena.

1993 -  1995 He was appointed Provincial Secretary of the Youth Left.

In 1995 he was elected Secretary of PDS Party in Modena city.

1999 - 2006 He was Councilor with responsibility for Public Works and Historical Heritage in Modena city.

In 2007 he was elected first Provincial Secretary of the Democratic Party of Modena and at the local elections of 2009 he was elected Councilman in Modena city.

In the same year, after the success of the primaries, he became Secretary of Democratic Party of Emilia-Romagna Region, charge which he maintained until May 2015.

In March 2010, he was elected regional Councilor of Emilia-Romagna Region.

After the proclamation of Matteo Renzi as National Secretary of the Democratic Party, in December 2013 Stefano Bonaccini was elected, by Matteo Renzi, Executive in charge of Local Authorities of National Secretariat.

On November 23, 2014, he was elected President of the Regional Council of Emilia-Romagna - obtaining 49% of the votes -  and on December 29, 2014 he officially joined the full exercise of his functions.

At the same time, he was commissioned to Deputy Commissioner for the implementation of interventions for reconstruction, assistance to the population and the economic recovery of the areas affected by the earthquakes of 20 and 29 May 2012.

He has been elected President of the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces since 2015, December 17th.

He has been elected President of AICCRE (Italian Association of Municipalities, Provinces, Regions, and other local communities) since 2016, March 18th and President of CEMR (Council of European Municipalities and Regions) since 2016, December, 12th.