Silvio Berlusconi
“Many loved him, many hated him”
Silvio Berlusconi has died at the age of 86.
© imago images/Ron Sachs CNP MediaPunch
After the death of Italy’s often controversial ex-prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, many politicians have expressed their condolences.
After the death of Italy’s ex-prime minister and media mogul Silvio Berlusconi (1936-2023) at the age of 86, many politicians have expressed their condolences. The incumbent Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni (46), described the often controversial Berlusconi in a video message, among other things, as a “fighter”.
“Many loved him, many hated him”
Matteo Renzi (48), also Prime Minister of Italy from 2014 to 2016, wrote on Twitter: “Silvio Berlusconi made history in this country. Many loved him, many hated him: everyone must now recognize that his influence on political life, but also on the economy, sport and television was unprecedented.”
According to media reports, Italy’s opposition leader Elly Schlein (38) said, among other things: “With the death of Silvio Berlusconi, an era comes to an end.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (73) meanwhile tweeted: “Silvio was a great friend of Israel and always stood by our side.”
Pope Francis (86) sent a telegram of condolences from his own sickbed to Berlusconi’s daughter Maria Elvira, as “Vatican News” reports. Francis paid tribute to the deceased, among other things, as a “protagonist of political life in Italy”, who “wore public responsibility with an energetic temper” – and expressed his sympathy to the family.
Berlusconi was Prime Minister of Italy four times. With his party “Forza Italia” and numerous private scandals, he made headlines for decades. One of the biggest scandals was the so-called “Bunga-Bunga Affair” about sex parties.