Silvio Berlusconi died on Monday June 12, at the age of 86. A whimsical personality with multiple lives, “Il Cavaliere” has also been the subject of many controversies, between his legal setbacks, his accusations of despotism and disappointing economic results with regard to his promises. The former Italian leader was nevertheless very popular throughout his immense political career which began in 1993, when he founded his Forza Italia movement and launched himself into the legislative race. His popularity is due in particular to his keen sense of rhetoric and repartee. At the microphone of Europe 1, he had the opportunity to demonstrate it more than once. Selected pieces.
On the eve of his first term as Chairman of the Board (1994 – 1995)
On March 31, 1994, Silvio Berlusconi and his Forza Italia movement, allied with the Northern League, had just triumphed in the legislative elections. The captain of industry is about to become head of state. “I’m going to change my life. It’s something you can’t really choose. There was this possibility for my country to fall into a dangerous situation. There was no other possibility on the ground. I I tried to make a rally, but it didn’t happen. I had to, for the love of my country, my family, my company, personally go down to the field. Work is my specialty “, he comments at the microphone of Europe 1, the day after his victory.
Did Silvio Berlusconi have all the powers?
On January 25, 2002, Silvio Berlusconi returned to power for six months. Majority in Parliament, media owner, close to industrial circles, the President of the Council does not hesitate to use his power to dismiss the judges whom he considers a little too embarrassing. Faced with accusations of despotism, “Il Cavaliere” denies en bloc. “It’s the opposite. The President of the Italian Council has little power, less than other European Prime Ministers. I have no power. All decisions taken by the government must go through the approval of the two Italian chambers” , he explains on Europe 1.
Justice catches up with him
In August 2013, Silvio Berlusconi was convicted in the Mediaset case, in which he was accused of tax evasion. Three months later, he was stripped of his post as a senator and left politics for good. Was he afraid of going to prison? No, “Il Cavaliere” was not afraid of anything. In any case, this is what he says at the microphone of Europe 1, on December 12, 2013. “It would be difficult to put me in prison. I will immediately have a large majority in the country. Personally, I have a very important age, I am not afraid of anything”, he assures. And to continue: “I love my country. I cannot end my human adventure as a patriot and a statesman by fleeing”.
“Bunga bunga” evenings
The other affair that occupied Silvio Berlusconi at the end of his life was the so-called “rubygate”. From April 2011, the Italian leader was tried for having paid for sexual services to a young woman, Moroccan Karima El-Mahroug, alias Ruby, when she was a minor. A little earlier, the former Italian leader had mentioned these accusations, ironically about the “bunga bunga” evenings that the young woman reported to investigators.
If he has never categorically denied the existence of fine parties in his apartments, “Il Cavaliere” has always denied having committed illegal acts. “No excess. Things were set up by the courts to condemn me. The parties? They were completely normal things… I’m not saying there was no sex, but it was always elegant, in my house”, he defended himself on Europe 1, December 12, 2013. On July 18, 2014, Silvio Berlusconi will finally be acquitted in this case by the Milan Court of Appeal.