Silvio Berlusconi, a sulphurous media magnate who ruled Italy for nine years, died at the age of 86 on Monday, June 12, from leukemia, his entourage told Agence France-Presse (AFP). Nicknamed “the Immortal” for his longevity in politics, the senator and businessman, who has profoundly marked the political landscape of his country, was again admitted on Friday to the San Raffaele hospital in Milan, where he stayed multiple times. The journey of this eternal ghost, whose political death has been wrongly announced many times, merges with the Italian history of the last thirty years.
“The state funeral of Silvio Berlusconi, who died this morning at the age of 86 at the San Raffaele hospital in Milan, will take place on Wednesday at the Duomo in Milan”the majestic cathedral of the Lombard capital, announced the diocese of Milan on its website.
The head of the Italian government, Giorgia Meloni, hailed the memory of her ally Silvio Berlusconi, seeing in him “one of the most influential men in the history of Italy”. “Silvio Berlusconi was above all a fighter. He was a man who was not afraid to stand up for his convictions and it was precisely his courage and determination that made him one of the most influential men in the history of Italy”she said in a video sent by her cabinet.
To Dio, Silvio. https://t.co/hWiSNPCeia
To admirers, the three-time prime minister was a capable and charismatic statesman who sought to elevate Italy on the world stage. For critics, he was a populist who threatened to undermine democracy by using political power as a tool to enrich himself personally and enrich his businesses. For the Italian Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, the death of Silvio Berlusconi “leaves a big void”. ” I loved him so much. Goodbye Silvio »he said on Monday. on Twitter.
Former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi recalled Berlusconi’s divisive legacy in published message on Twitter. “Silvio Berlusconi marked the history of this country. Many loved him, many hated him. Everyone must recognize that its impact on political life, but also economic, sports and television, has been unprecedented., he wrote, wishing whoever ” will miss “ that the “earth be light on [lui] ».
“From today we will dedicate all our efforts to continue the thousand roads that you have seen and then traced”, said, for his partthe leader of the League party, Matteo Salvini, who called Silvio Berlusconi a “a great man and a great Italian”. “One of the greatest of all time, in all fields, in all respects, without equal”he added. “Immense pain. Simply thank you president, thank you Silvio”tweeted Antonio Tajani, Italian Foreign Minister.
“The majority of Italians in their hearts would like to be like me and see themselves in me and the way I behave”, Berlusconi said in 2009, during his third and final term as prime minister. He said of himself that he was not “not a healthy one”. On Canale 5, the main private general-interest channel of the Mediaset group owned by Silvio Berlusconi, the presenters tearfully announced the death of the media mogul.
“Everything has divided us, but human respect remains”
His political adversaries also paid tribute to him. “Greatness must be recognized even to adversaries”reacted the former Minister of Culture, Dario Franceschini (Democratic Party, left). “An era ends with the death of Silvio Berlusconi. Everything has divided us and everything divides us (…) but what remains is the human respect due to him who has been a protagonist in the history of our country”responded Elly Schlein, leader of the Democratic Party (PD), the main opposition party.
“He inflamed and polarized public debate perhaps like no other, and even those who faced him as a political opponent must recognize that he never lacked courage, passion, tenacity”greeted Giuseppe Conte, former Prime Minister and leader of the 5 Star Movement (M5S). “Silvio Berlusconi was a great protagonist in our history. A world leader who fought for a stronger, more democratic Europe”commented Sandro Gozi, Renaissance MEP and Secretary General of the European Democratic Party (EDP).
Strong tribute to Vladimir Putin and the French right and far right
Russian President Vladimir Putin lamented a “irreparable loss”. “For me, Silvio was a dear person, a true friend”, Putin said in a telegram of condolence to Italian President Sergio Mattarella, according to a Kremlin statement. He said he always admired his ” wisdom “ and praised his “incredible vital energy”of his ” optimism “ and sound ” sense of humor “.
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The boss of the Les Républicains (LR) party, Eric Ciotti, sent his condolences on Twitterto those close to this “true monument of politics in Italy”. A “statesman whom he served with all his might” And “a fervent defender of the friendship between our two nations”, according to Mr. Ciotti. “An atypical character with an extraordinary life and a dazzling journey”for Marine Le Pen, who also sent her “Condolences to Italy in mourning” in a message on Twitter.
Evoking the “outspoken” and the “new style” of the former head of government, the president of the National Rally, Jordan Bardella, also considered that “Silvio Berlusconi marked an entire era in his country”. His death “will leave a huge void within the European right”added Senator Stéphane Le Rudulier (LR), for whom “his fight against communism and [celle] to propel Italy into the 21ste century will remain achievements that will survive it..
“Leading political figure, entrepreneur, sports leader and media man, he served the Franco-Italian relationship with fervor”, tweeted the leader of the centrist senators Hervé Marseille (Union of Democrats and Independents). Meyer Habib, Franco-Israeli parliamentarian and LR deputy of the 8e constituency of French people living abroad, hailed him on his Twitter account Silvio Berlusconi, “That giant! »and sent “all his thoughts to the Italian people”.
More measured, the left reacted little to the disappearance of the one who is also known for a procession of scandals, in particular his famous evenings “bunga bunga”. Socialist Senator Rachid Temal recalled that he “contributed to the return of the extreme right, heiress of Mussolini, at the head of Italy”.
Several football clubs “cry”
AC Monza, a football club owned since 2018 by Silvio Berlusconi, and Adriano Galliani, the businessman’s longtime right-hand man and former head of government, also paid tribute to the memory of the “Cavaliere”.. « Adriano Galliani and the whole of AC Monza mourn the disappearance of Silvio Berlusconisaid the Lombard club in a message published on its website. It is a void that can never be filled, forever with us. Thank you for everything, president. »
After selling AC Milan, the club he led for more than thirty years (1986-2017), Silvio Berlusconi embarked on a new sporting adventure in 2018 by taking over Monza, which he confided, as in Milan , management to Adriano Galliani. Several other clubs have also paid tribute to the former AC Milan boss, including Italian champions Napoli, who expressed the “condolences” of its president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, and of the entire club, who said “deeply saddened”.
“Silvio Berlusconi changed the history of Italian football”estimated in a press release the president of the Italian Football Federation, Gabriele Gravina. “His contribution in terms of passion, innovation and investment, always with particular attention to the beautiful game, has been fundamental for the affirmation of our football at international level”he added. “He made the history of this fate (…) taking Italian football to the roof of Europe and the world”insisted, for his part, Lorenzo Casini, president of the Serie A League.
“AC Milan mourns the loss of the unforgettable Silvio Berlusconi”reacts the rossonero club, one of the most powerful in the world when the former Italian head of government was its president, in a message on its site. “Thank you president, forever with us”, he adds. Carlo Ancelotti, who was a player (1987-1992), then coach (2001-2009) of AC Milan during the reign of Berlusconi, expressed his “infinite gratitude to the president”. He was “decisive in [son] adventure as a footballer first, then as a coach », assured on Twitter the Real Madrid technician. Another emblematic ex-coach of this “great Milano”Arrigo Sacchi, hailed the memory of a “fabulous friend, to whom I owe everything”quoted by the Italian news agency ANSA.