{{Short description|Italian politician and media tycoon (1936â€“2023)}}{{Redirect|Berlusconi}}{{pp|small=yes}}{{EngvarB|date=September 2023}}{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}

!Election!House!Constituency!colspan=“2“|Party!Votes!Result! 1994! 1994| European Parliament! 1996! 1999| European Parliament! 2001! 2004| European Parliament! 2006! 2008! 2009| European Parliament! 2013! 2019| European Parliament! 2022

factoids

name

{edih}| term_start2 = 11 May 1994| term_end2 = 17 January 1995| predecessor2 = Carlo Azeglio Ciampi| successor2 = Lamberto Dini

North-West Italy (European Parliament constituency)>North-West Italy| term_start6 = 20 July 1999| term_end6 = 10 June 2001| constituency6 = North-West Italy

Chamber of Deputies (Italy)>Chamber of Deputies| term_start7 = 15 April 1994| term_end7 = 14 March 2013

Molise (2008{{nbnd{edih}2013)
Campania 1 (2006{{nbnd}}2008)
Lombardy 1 (1996{{nbnd}}2006)
Lazio 1 (1994{{nbnd}}1996)

}}

1936

29|df=y}}| birth_place = Milan, Kingdom of Italy

2023

df=y}}| death_place = Milan, Italy| nationality =| residence =

{{longitem| (1994{{nbnd{edih}2009)}}
{{longitem|The People of Freedom (2009{{nbnd}}2013)}}
{{longitem|Forza Italia (from{{nbsp}}2013)}}

}}

{{longitem|Pole of Freedoms (1994{{nbnd{edih}1995)}}
{{longitem|Pole for Freedoms (1996{{nbnd}}2000)}}
{{longitem|House of Freedoms (2000{{nbnd}}2008)}}
{{longitem|Centre-right coalition (1994{{nbnd}}2013; from{{nbsp}}2017)}}

}}

{{longitem|Founder and owner of Fininvest{edih}
Owner of AC Milan
Owner of AC Monza

}}

{{marriage|Carla Dall’Oglio|1965|1985|end=div{edih}
{{marriage|Veronica Lario|1990|2010|end=div}}NEWS,www.corriere.it/politica/23_giugno_12/berlusconi-mogli-donne-afa8c63a-d3ac-11ed-ba6c-77fbc62fc42e.shtml, Mamma Rosa, mogli, fidanzate (e il ruolo chiave della figlia Marina): le donne della vita di Berlusconi, Candida Morvillo, 12 June 2023, 13 June 2023, it, Corriere della Sera, 13 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230613060328/https://www.corriere.it/politica/23_giugno_12/berlusconi-mogli-donne-afa8c63a-d3ac-11ed-ba6c-77fbc62fc42e.shtml, live,

}}

{{longitem|Francesca Pascale (2013{{nbnd{edih}2020)}}
{{longitem|Marta Fascina (from{{nbsp}}2020)}}

}}

Marina Berlusconi>Marina, Pier Silvio Berlusconi

and Barbara Berlusconi>Barbara| relatives = Paolo Berlusconi (brother)| alma_mater = University of Milan| website =| signature = Silvio Berlusconi Signature.svg}}{{Silvio Berlusconi sidebar}}Silvio Berlusconi ({{IPAc-en|ËŒ|b|É›É™r|l|ÊŠ|Ëˆ|s|k|oÊŠ|n|i}} {{respell|BAIR|luu|SKOH|nee}}; {{IPA-it|Ëˆsilvjo berluËˆskoËni|lang|It-Silvio Berlusconi.ogg}}; 29 September 1936 â€“ 12 June 2023) was an Italian media tycoon and politician who served as the prime minister of Italy in four governments from 1994 to 1995, 2001 to 2006 and 2008 to 2011.WEB, 2 April 2014,www.biography.com/people/silvio-berlusconi-9209602, Silvio Berlusconi, Biography, A&E Television Networks, 5 January 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190106010612/https://www.biography.com/people/silvio-berlusconi-9209602, 6 January 2019, dead, Updated 26 February 2018. He was a member of the Chamber of Deputies from 1994 to 2013; a member of the Senate of the Republic from 2022 until his death in 2023, and previously from March to November 2013; and a member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 2019 to 2022, and previously from 1999 to 2001.WEB, Roberts, Hannah,www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/silvio-berlusconi-mep-european-elections-italy-forza-italia-league-a8931186.html, Silvio Berlusconi is back on the Italian political scene. How did he get there?, 27 May 2019, The Independent, 21 August 2022, 7 May 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230507153613/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/silvio-berlusconi-mep-european-elections-italy-forza-italia-league-a8931186.html, live, With a net worth of US$6.8 billion as of June 2023, Berlusconi was the third-wealthiest person in Italy at the time of his death.WEB, June 2023, Silvio Berlusconi & family,www.forbes.com/profile/silvio-berlusconi/, live,web.archive.org/web/20230612161833/https://www.forbes.com/profile/silvio-berlusconi/, 12 June 2023, 12 June 2023, Forbes, Berlusconi rose into the financial elite of Italy in the late 1960s. He was the controlling shareholder of Mediaset and owned the Italian football club AC Milan from 1986 to 2017. He was nicknamed Il Cavaliere (The Knight) for his Order of Merit for Labour; he voluntarily resigned from this order in March 2014.WEB, 29 June 2012,digilander.libero.it/berlusconi.web/, live, Silvio Berlusconi Premier Politico Cavaliere Pdl Milan Mediaset, Digilander, it, 4 August 2013,digilander.libero.it/berlusconi.web/," title="web.archive.org/web/20131029205127digilander.libero.it/berlusconi.web/,">web.archive.org/web/20131029205127digilander.libero.it/berlusconi.web/, 29 October 2013, In 2018, Forbes ranked him as the 190th richest man in the world, with a net worth of US$8 billion.WEB,www.forbes.com/profile/silvio-berlusconi/, Forbes Silvio Berlusconi profile page, 11 March 2011, Forbes, 14 November 2011,www.forbes.com/profile/silvio-berlusconi/," title="web.archive.org/web/20140209113242www.forbes.com/profile/silvio-berlusconi/,">web.archive.org/web/20140209113242www.forbes.com/profile/silvio-berlusconi/, 9 February 2014, WEB,forbes.it/2019/03/05/forbes-classifica-ricchi/, La classifica Forbes degli uomini piÃ¹ ricchi del mondo nel 2019, Forbes, it, March 2019, 21 August 2022, 21 August 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220821191446/https://forbes.it/2019/03/05/forbes-classifica-ricchi/, live, In 2009, Forbes ranked him 12th in the list of the World’s Most Powerful People due to his domination of Italian politics throughout more than fifteen years at the head of the centre-right coalition.WEB,www.forbes.com/lists/2009/20/power-09_Silvio-Berlusconi_9SKC.html, dead, Forbes, #12 Silvio Berlusconi, 11 November 2009,www.forbes.com/lists/2009/20/power-09_Silvio-Berlusconi_9SKC.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20121111021540www.forbes.com/lists/2009/20/power-09_Silvio-Berlusconi_9SKC.html,">web.archive.org/web/20121111021540www.forbes.com/lists/2009/20/power-09_Silvio-Berlusconi_9SKC.html, 11 November 2012, 21 August 2022, Berlusconi was prime minister for nine years in total, making him the longest serving post-war prime minister of Italy, and the third longest-serving since Italian unification, after Benito Mussolini and Giovanni Giolitti. He was the leader of the centre-right party from 1994 to 2009, and its successor party The People of Freedom from 2009 to 2013. He led the revived Forza Italia from 2013 to 2023.NEWS, Hornby, Catherine, Mackenzie, James,www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-berlusconi-idUSBRE9AE15M20131116, live, Berlusconi breaks away from Italy government after party ruptures, Reuters, 16 November 2013, 16 November 2013,web.archive.org/web/20131202232953/https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/16/us-italy-berlusconi-idUSBRE9AE15M20131116, 2 December 2013, Berlusconi was the senior G8 leader from 2009 until 2011, and he held the record for hosting G8 summits (having hosted three summits in Italy). After serving nearly 19 years as a member of the Chamber of Deputies, the country’s lower house, he became a member of the Senate following the 2013 Italian general election.On 1 August 2013, Berlusconi was convicted of tax fraud by the Supreme Court of Cassation. His four-year prison sentence was confirmed, and he was banned from holding public office for two years. Aged 76, he was exempted from direct imprisonment, and instead served his sentence by doing unpaid community service.WEB,www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2013/aug/24/holding-italy-hostage/, Holding Italy Hostage, Parks, Tim, 24 August 2013, The New York Review of Books, 6 September 2013,www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2013/aug/24/holding-italy-hostage/," title="web.archive.org/web/20131025180502www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2013/aug/24/holding-italy-hostage/,">web.archive.org/web/20131025180502www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2013/aug/24/holding-italy-hostage/, 25 October 2013, live, Three years of his sentence was automatically pardoned under Italian law; because he had been sentenced to gross imprisonment for more than two years, he was banned from holding legislative office for six years and expelled from the Senate.NEWS,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25128115, live, Italy’s Senate expels ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi, BBC, 27 November 2013,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25128115," title="web.archive.org/web/20131130215623www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25128115,">web.archive.org/web/20131130215623www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25128115, 30 November 2013, 21 August 2022, NEWS,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24015130, live, Italian senators debate Berlusconi expulsion, BBC, 9 September 2013, 10 September 2013,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24015130," title="web.archive.org/web/20140418201323www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24015130,">web.archive.org/web/20140418201323www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24015130, 18 April 2014, Berlusconi pledged to stay leader of Forza Italia throughout his custodial sentence and public office ban.NEWS, Moody, Barry,www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-berlusconi-idUSBRE98H0JK20130918, live, Berlusconi vows to stay in politics as ban approaches, Reuters, 18 September 2013, 18 September 2013,web.archive.org/web/20131014123638/https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/18/us-italy-politics-berlusconi-idUSBRE98H0JK20130918, 14 October 2013, After his ban ended, Berlusconi ran for and was elected as an MEP at the 2019 European Parliament election. He returned to the Senate after winning a seat in the 2022 Italian general election,WEB, 2 September 2022, Silvio Berlusconi, 85, makes TikTok debut with appeal to young voters,www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/02/silvio-berlusconi-85-makes-tiktok-debut-with-appeal-to-young-voters, 3 September 2022, The Guardian, 2 September 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220902232957/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/02/silvio-berlusconi-85-makes-tiktok-debut-with-appeal-to-young-voters, live, and died the following year from complications of chronic leukaemia, and was given a state funeral.WEB, 14 June 2023, Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi honored with state funeral,www.nbcnews.com/news/world/silvio-berlusconi-italy-state-funeral-milan-giorgia-meloni-orban-rcna89262, 16 June 2023, NBC News, 31 July 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230731211131/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/silvio-berlusconi-italy-state-funeral-milan-giorgia-meloni-orban-rcna89262, live, Berlusconi was known for his populist political style and brash personality. In his long tenure, he was often accused of being an authoritarian leader and a strongman.NEWS, Rossi, Filippo,www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2011/07/20/si-berlusconi-e-un-dittatore/146713/, SÃ¬, Berlusconi Ã¨ un dittatore, 20 July 2011, Il Fatto Quotidiano, it, 21 August 2022, 7 June 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220607055017/https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2011/07/20/si-berlusconi-e-un-dittatore/146713/, live, NEWS,www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/boschi-insulta-berlusconi-ha-esperienza-dda-dittatore-1126680.html, La Boschi insulta Berlusconi: ‘Ha esperienza da dittatore’, Sergio, Rame, Il Giornale, it, 10 May 2015, 21 August 2022, 8 June 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220608203644/https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/boschi-insulta-berlusconi-ha-esperienza-dda-dittatore-1126680.html, live, NEWS, Beppe, Severgnini, 15 November 2016, What a Trump America Can Learn from a Berlusconi Italy,www.nytimes.com/2016/11/16/opinion/what-a-trump-america-can-learn-from-a-berlusconi-italy.html, Opinion, The New York Times, 21 August 2022, 8 April 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220408053545/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/16/opinion/what-a-trump-america-can-learn-from-a-berlusconi-italy.html, live, At the height of his power, Berlusconi was the richest person in Italy, owned three of the main TV channels of the country, and indirectly controlled RAI through his own government. He was the owner of Italy’s biggest publishing company, several newspapers and magazines, and one of the main football clubs in Europe.NEWS,www.economist.com/obituary/2023/06/12/silvio-berlusconi-has-died-aged-86, Silvio Berlusconi duped Italians for years, 12 June 2023, The Economist, 12 June 2023, 12 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230612092128/https://www.economist.com/obituary/2023/06/12/silvio-berlusconi-has-died-aged-86, live, At the time of his death, The Guardian wrote that Berlusconi “gathered himself more power than was ever wielded by one individual in a Western democracy.“NEWS, Hooper, John,www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/12/silvio-berlusconi-obituary, Silvio Berlusconi obituary, 12 June 2023, The Guardian, 12 June 2023, 13 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230613235614/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/12/silvio-berlusconi-obituary, live, Berlusconi remained a controversial figure who divided public opinion and political analysts. Supporters emphasised his leadership skills and charismatic power, his fiscal policy based on tax reduction, and his ability to maintain strong and close foreign relations with both the United States and Russia.NEWS,www.repubblica.it/2006/b/sezioni/politica/versoelez29/inusafune/inusafune.html, Bush: ‘Berlusconi un leader forte’ Ma piÃ¹ tardi la Casa Bianca frena, La Repubblica, it, 28 February 2006, 21 August 2022, 7 June 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220607050553/https://www.repubblica.it/2006/b/sezioni/politica/versoelez29/inusafune/inusafune.html, live, WEB,www.linkiesta.it/it/article/2012/02/01/con-berlusconi-debito-e-spese-fuori-controllo-ma-meno-tasse/3000/, Con Berlusconi debito e spese fuori controllo ma meno tasse, 1 February 2012, Linkiesta, it, 21 August 2022, 13 July 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190713152046/https://www.linkiesta.it/it/article/2012/02/01/con-berlusconi-debito-e-spese-fuori-controllo-ma-meno-tasse/3000/, live, NEWS,www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/cos-cavaliere-pratica-mare-mise-daccordo-stati-uniti-e-1515539.html, CosÃ¬ il Cavaliere a Pratica di Mare mise d’accordo Stati Uniti e Russia, Gian Maria, De Francesco, Il Giornale, it, 15 April 2018, 21 August 2022, 5 October 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221005023835/https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/cos-cavaliere-pratica-mare-mise-daccordo-stati-uniti-e-1515539.html, live, In general, critics address his performance as a politician and the ethics of his government practices in relation to his business holdings. Issues with the former include accusations of having mismanaged the state budget and of increasing the Italian government debt. The second criticism concerns his vigorous pursuit of his personal interests while in office, including benefitting from his own companies’ growth due to policies promoted by his governments, having vast conflicts of interest due to ownership of a media empire, with which he restricted freedom of information, and being blackmailed as a leader because of his turbulent private life.NEWS,www.lastampa.it/2010/07/10/italia/berlusconi-allattacco-la-libert-di-stampa-non-un-diritto-assoluto-ljGEPEyRzR1XXGOpWMessO/pagina.html, Berlusconi all’attacco: ‘La libertÃ di stampa non Ã¨ un diritto assoluto’, La Stampa, it, 10 July 2010, 21 August 2022, 13 July 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190713153216/https://www.lastampa.it/2010/07/10/italia/berlusconi-allattacco-la-libert-di-stampa-non-un-diritto-assoluto-ljGEPEyRzR1XXGOpWMessO/pagina.html, live, WEB, 19 December 2011,www.valigiablu.it/debito-pubblico-il-record-assoluto-e-di-berlusconi/, Debito pubblico: il record assoluto Ã¨ di Berlusconi, Andrea, Zitelli, Valigia Blu, it, 21 August 2022, 21 August 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220821191446/https://www.valigiablu.it/debito-pubblico-il-record-assoluto-e-di-berlusconi/, live, NEWS, Colaprico, Piero,milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2015/07/05/news/ruby_ter-118397077/, Ruby ter: soldi, foto e minacce, cosÃ¬ Berlusconi si Ã¨ scoperto ricattabile, 5 July 2015, La Repubblica, it, 21 August 2022, 13 August 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220813203839/https://milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2015/07/05/news/ruby_ter-118397077/, live, {{TOC limit|3}}

Family background and personal life

Berlusconi was born in 1936 in Milan, where he was raised in a middle-class family.Willey, David (2011). NEWS,www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15629283, The secret of Silvio Berlusconi’s success, BBC News, 12 November 2011,www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15629283," title="web.archive.org/web/20140207101509www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15629283,">web.archive.org/web/20140207101509www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15629283, 7 February 2014, , BBC News. Retrieved 9 November 2011. His father, Luigi Berlusconi, was a bank employee, and his mother, Rosa Bossi, a housewife.WEB,www.150681.it/silvio-berlusconi-imprenditore-e-politico-italiano/, Biografia, Storia e Vita di Silvio Berlusconi, Imprenditore e Politico Italiano, 150681.it, 27 October 2012,www.150681.it/silvio-berlusconi-imprenditore-e-politico-italiano/," title="archive.today/20130218202618www.150681.it/silvio-berlusconi-imprenditore-e-politico-italiano/,">archive.today/20130218202618www.150681.it/silvio-berlusconi-imprenditore-e-politico-italiano/, 18 February 2013, He was the first of three children; he had a sister, Maria Francesca Antonietta, and a brother, Paolo.WEB, Politics and women, TV and sports: Berlusconi’s unusual story (PHOTO), ((The Editor)), Vox News, 12 June 2023, 16 June 2023,www.voxnews.al/english/fokus/politika-dhe-grate-tv-dhe-sporti-historia-e-pazakonte-e-berlusconit-foto-i42009, 16 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230616092736/https://www.voxnews.al/english/fokus/politika-dhe-grate-tv-dhe-sporti-historia-e-pazakonte-e-berlusconit-foto-i42009, live, File:Berlusconi navi.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Berlusconi singing on a cruise ship cruise shipAfter completing his secondary school education at a Salesian college, Berlusconi studied law at the University of Milan, graduating with honours in 1961, with a thesis on the legal aspects of advertising. He was not required to serve the standard one-year stint in the Italian army which was compulsory at the time.BOOK, Guarino, Mario, L’orgia del potere, Il Mulino, [The author] claimed that Berlusconi avoided military service because he was the first-born child in his family. However, this did not constitute reasonable grounds for exemption, During his university studies, he played upright bass in a group formed with the now Mediaset Chairman and amateur pianist Fedele Confalonieri and occasionally performed as a cruise ship crooner.NEWS,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/worldnews/8878966/Silvio-Berlusconi-in-pictures.html,ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/worldnews/8878966/Silvio-Berlusconi-in-pictures.html, 11 January 2022, subscription, live, Silvio Berlusconi in pictures, The Daily Telegraph, 18 April 2018, A young Silvio Berlusconi is pictured singing on a cruise ship in the 1960s. Berlusconi was born in Milan in 1936, and studied law in Milan, graduating in 1961. He occasionally performed as a cruise ship crooner, and later recorded two albums., 9 November 2011, {{cbignore}} In later life, he wrote AC Milan’s anthem with the Italian music producer and pop singer Tony Renis and Forza Italia’s anthem with the opera director Renato Serio.NEWS, Tony Renis: “Ecco racconto come Ã¨ nato l’inno del Milan: Ã¨ stata un’idea di Berlusconi”,www.milannews.it/le-interviste/tony-renis-ecco-racconto-come-e-nato-linno-del-milan-e-stata-unidea-di-berlusconi-160803, 15 June 2023, Milan News, 21 November 2014, it, 7 October 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221007142742/https://www.milannews.it/le-interviste/tony-renis-ecco-racconto-come-e-nato-linno-del-milan-e-stata-unidea-di-berlusconi-160803, live, NEWS, L’inno di “Forza Italia”, l’emblema di un partito politico e del suo leader Silvio Berlusconi,gazzettadelsud.it/articoli/societa/2023/06/12/linno-di-forza-italia-lemblema-di-un-partito-politico-e-del-suo-leader-silvio-berlusconi-d7ab27b8-db00-442d-a373-2d1345a39e22/, 15 June 2023, Gazzetta del Sud, 12 June 2023, it, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060432/https://gazzettadelsud.it/articoli/societa/2023/06/12/linno-di-forza-italia-lemblema-di-un-partito-politico-e-del-suo-leader-silvio-berlusconi-d7ab27b8-db00-442d-a373-2d1345a39e22/, live, With the Neapolitan singer Mariano Apicella, he wrote two Neapolitan song albums: Meglio ‘na canzone in 2003 and L’ultimo amore in 2006.NEWS, Silvio Berlusconi cantÃ² Meglio ‘na Canzone con Mariano Apicella. VIDEO,tg24.sky.it/spettacolo/musica/2023/06/14/silvio-berlusconi-mariano-apicella-meglio-na-canzone, 15 June 2023, Sky TG24, 14 June 2023, it, 14 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230614120324/https://tg24.sky.it/spettacolo/musica/2023/06/14/silvio-berlusconi-mariano-apicella-meglio-na-canzone, live, In 1965, Berlusconi married Carla Elvira Dall’Oglio, and they had two children: Maria Elvira, better known as Marina (born 1966), and Pier Silvio (born 1969).BOOK, Paul, Ginsborg, Silvio Berlusconi: Television, Power And Patrimony,books.google.com/books?id=YTFIetz-CC8C&pg=PA25, 24 June 2013, 2005, Verso, 978-1-84467-541-8, 25, By 1980, Berlusconi had established a relationship with the actress Veronica Lario (born Miriam Bartolini), with whom he subsequently had three children: Barbara (born 1984), Eleonora (born 1986), and Luigi (born 1988). He was divorced from Dall’Oglio in 1985, and married Lario in 1990. By this time, Berlusconi was a well-known entrepreneur, and his wedding was a notable social event. One of his best men was Bettino Craxi, a former prime minister and leader of the Italian Socialist Party.NEWS, Monnis, Monica, La storia d’amore tra Silvio Berlusconi e Veronica Lario: dal colpo di fulmine all’aspra battaglia legale,www.cosmopolitan.com/it/star/a44171204/silvio-berlusconi-veronica-lario-storia-amore-divorzio/, 15 June 2023, Cosmopolitan, 12 June 2023, it-IT, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060431/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/it/star/a44171204/silvio-berlusconi-veronica-lario-storia-amore-divorzio/, live, In May 2009, Lario announced that she was to file for divorce.NEWS, Berlusconi’s wife to divorce him,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8031520.stm, 3 May 2009, BBC News,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8031520.stm," title="web.archive.org/web/20140116182353news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8031520.stm,">web.archive.org/web/20140116182353news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8031520.stm, 16 January 2014, On 28 December 2012, Berlusconi was ordered to pay Lario $48 million a year in a divorce settlement, but could keep the $100 million house they lived in with their three children.NEWS, Silvio Berlusconi to pay ex-wife $50 million a year,www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/12/28/berlusconi-lario-divorce/1795853/?sf8194263=1, USA Today, 28 December 2012, 28 December 2012, 16 May 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230516224308/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/12/28/berlusconi-lario-divorce/1795853/?sf8194263=1, live,

Business career

Milano Due

File:Berlusconi nominato Cavaliere del lavoro 1977.jpg|thumb|upright|Berlusconi awarded Knight of the Order of Merit for Labour Order of Merit for LabourBerlusconi’s business career began in construction in the 1970s, when he built Milano Due, a development of 4,000 residential apartments east of Milan. The residential centre was built by Edilnord,NEWS, Arie, Sophie, 28 June 2003, He built a Milanese utopia but can Silvio Berlusconi be trusted with the future of the EU?, The Guardian,www.theguardian.com/media/2003/jun/28/pressandpublishing.italy, 12 June 2023, 0261-3077, 1 March 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210301141335/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/jun/28/pressandpublishing.italy, live, a Berlusconi-owned company associated with the Fininvest group.NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/12/silvio-berlusconi-obituary, Silvio Berlusconi obituary, The Guardian, 12 June 2023, 12 June 2023, Hooper, John, 13 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230613235614/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/12/silvio-berlusconi-obituary, live, Works began on the project in 1970 and was completed in 1979.NEWS, La Milano 2 da cui ebbe origine il successo immobiliare di Silvio Berlusconi, format originale di un’intera esistenza,milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2023/06/12/news/milano_2_silvio_berlusconi-404191907/, 15 June 2023, la Repubblica, 12 June 2023, it, 18 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230618165808/https://milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2023/06/12/news/milano_2_silvio_berlusconi-404191907/, live, The profits from this venture provided the seed money for his advertising agency.NEWS, John, Carlin,www.theguardian.com/world/2004/jan/18/italy.features, Silvio Berlusconi: Roman emperor for the 21st century {{pipe, The Observer|newspaper=The Guardian|date=19 January 2004 |access-date=27 October 2012|location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116133228www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/jan/18/italy.features |archive-date=16 January 2013}}

TeleMilano

Berlusconi first entered the media world in the 1970s, buying from Giacomo Properzj and Alceo Moretti a small cable television company, TeleMilano, to service units built on his Segrate properties. It began transmitting in September of the following year. TeleMilano was one of the first Italian private television channels and later evolved into Canale 5, the first national private TV station.After buying two further channels, Berlusconi relocated the station to central Milan in 1977 and began broadcasting over the airwaves.BOOK, Mastellarini, Gabriele, Assalto alla stampa: Controllare i media per governare l’opinione pubblica, Dedalo, Bari, 2003, 159ff,

Fininvest

File:Berlusconi anni 80.jpg|thumb|left|Berlusconi in his private jet aircraft jet aircraftIn 1975, Berlusconi founded his first media group, Fininvest. In 1978 he joined the Propaganda Due masonic lodge.NEWS, Silvio Berlusconi, storia segreta dell’uomo che ha conquistato l’Italia con il Milan,espresso.repubblica.it/politica/2023/06/12/news/silvio_berlusconi_milan-404188921/, 14 June 2023, L’Espresso, 12 June 2023, it, 12 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230612145207/https://espresso.repubblica.it/politica/2023/06/12/news/silvio_berlusconi_milan-404188921/, live, In the five years leading up to 1983, he earned some 113 billion Italian lire (â‚¬58.3 million). The funding sources are still unknown because of a complex system of holding companies, despite investigations conducted by various prosecutors.NEWS, Maiorino, Nino, La fortuna miliardaria di Berlusconi,www.ulisseonline.it/controluce/la-fortuna-miliardaria-di-berlusconi/, 14 June 2023, Ulisse online, 15 August 2022, it-IT, 6 October 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221006210044/https://www.ulisseonline.it/controluce/la-fortuna-miliardaria-di-berlusconi/, live, Fininvest soon expanded into a country-wide network of local TV stations which had similar programming, forming, in effect, a single national network. At the time, laws were in place which allowed only the national broadcaster RAI to operate throughout the country, and this was seen as an effort to circumvent its monopoly. In 1980, Berlusconi founded Italy’s first private national network, Canale 5, followed shortly thereafter by Italia 1, which was bought from the Rusconi family in 1982, and Rete 4, which was bought from Mondadori in 1984. He then launched three international sister networks: La Cinq (1986), Tele 5 (1988), and Telecinco (1989). La Cinq and Tele 5 ceased operations in 1992 and were later replaced by La CinquiÃ¨me and DSF, respectively.NEWS, Come Berlusconi ha creato le sue tv,www.wired.it/article/berlusconi-televisioni-tv-canale-5-rete-4-italia-1-pizzone-storia/, 15 June 2023, Wired Italia, 14 June 2023, it-IT, 14 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230614092848/https://www.wired.it/article/berlusconi-televisioni-tv-canale-5-rete-4-italia-1-pizzone-storia/, live, NEWS, La storia di Berlusconi Ã¨ anche una storia di fallimenti,www.fanpage.it/economia/la-storia-di-berlusconi-e-una-storia-di-fallimenti/, 15 June 2023, Fanpage, it, 15 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230615062930/https://www.fanpage.it/economia/la-storia-di-berlusconi-e-una-storia-di-fallimenti/, live, File:Berlusconi Andreotti 1984.jpg|thumb|Berlusconi with Giulio Andreotti Giulio AndreottiBerlusconi created the first and only Italian commercial TV empire. He was assisted by his connections to Bettino Craxi, secretary-general of the Italian Socialist Party and also the prime minister of Italy at that time, whose government passed, on 20 October 1984, an emergency decree legalising the nationwide transmissions made by Berlusconi’s television stations.WEB,www.articolo21.info/499/editoriale/berlusconi-tv-un-impero-nato-per-decretocraxi.html,www.articolo21.info/499/editoriale/berlusconi-tv-un-impero-nato-per-decretocraxi.html," title="archive.today/20101215023228www.articolo21.info/499/editoriale/berlusconi-tv-un-impero-nato-per-decretocraxi.html,">archive.today/20101215023228www.articolo21.info/499/editoriale/berlusconi-tv-un-impero-nato-per-decretocraxi.html, dead, 15 December 2010, Berlusconi- tv. Un impero nato per decreto-Craxi, it, l’UnitÃ , This was in response to judgements on 16 October 1984, in Turin, Pescara, and Rome, enforcing a law that previously restricted nationwide broadcasting to RAI, which had ordered these private networks to cease transmitting.After political turmoil in 1985, the decree was approved definitively; for some years, Berlusconi’s three channels remained in legal limbo and were not allowed to broadcast news and political commentary. They were elevated to the status of full national TV channels in 1990 by the MammÃ¬ law, named after Oscar MammÃ¬.NEWS, Storia delle televisioni di Silvio Berlusconi,www.ilpost.it/2023/06/13/berlusconi-televisioni-private-storia-mediaset/, 15 June 2023, Il Post, 13 June 2023, it-IT, 14 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230614230625/https://www.ilpost.it/2023/06/13/berlusconi-televisioni-private-storia-mediaset/, live, In 1987, it bought out home video distributor Domovideo, in a seesaw contest with Vincenzo Romagnoli.NEWS, 29 April 1987, Berlusconi Buys Italian Distributor, 39â€“40, Variety (magazine), Variety, In 1995, Berlusconi sold a portion of his media holdings, first to the German media group Kirch Group (now bankrupt) and then by public offer. In 1999, Berlusconi expanded his media interests by forming a partnership with Kirch called the Epsilon MediaGroup.BOOK, Altmeppen, Klaus-Dieter, Karmasin, Matthias, Medien und Ã–konomie, de, VS Verlag, 2003, Leo Kirch und Silvio Berlusconi setzten 1999 eine schon bewÃ¤hrte Zusammenarbeit fort, also sie mit der GrÃ¼ndung des Gemeinschaftsunternehmens Epsilon Group auf die Entwicklung eines europaweiten Rundfunkverbundes zielten, 153, On 9 July 2011, a Milan court ordered Fininvest to pay 560 million euros in damages to Compagnie Industriali Riunite in a long-running legal dispute.NEWS, Zampano, Giada,www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303365804576435290994415536, Court Fines Berlusconi’s Fininvest, The Wall Street Journal, 11 July 2011, 10 September 2011, 5 March 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230305103858/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303365804576435290994415536, live, On 5 August 2016, Fininvest announced the signing of a preliminary agreement to sell all of their shares of AC Milan to Sino-Europe Sports Investment Management Changxing Co.Ltd. The deal was scheduled to be finalised by the end of 2016.WEB, Comunicato Stampa â€“ Milan: Fininvest firma preliminare di vendita con cordata cinese, Press Release â€“ Milan: Fininvest signs preliminary selling agreement with Chinese group of investors,www.fininvest.it/assets/press/it/CS_Fininvest-Milan_5.08.16.pdf, fininvest.it, Fininvest, 5 August 2016, 9 August 2016, it, 9 September 2016,www.fininvest.it/assets/press/it/CS_Fininvest-Milan_5.08.16.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20160909090823www.fininvest.it/assets/press/it/CS_Fininvest-Milan_5.08.16.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20160909090823www.fininvest.it/assets/press/it/CS_Fininvest-Milan_5.08.16.pdf, live, On 13 April 2017, Berlusconi sold Milan to Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux for a total of â‚¬830 million after a 31-year reign.WEB,www.football-italia.net/101063/official-berlusconi-sells-milan, Official Berlusconi sells Milan, Football Italia, 13 April 2017, 13 April 2017, 13 April 2017,www.football-italia.net/101063/official-berlusconi-sells-milan," title="web.archive.org/web/20170413123532www.football-italia.net/101063/official-berlusconi-sells-milan,">web.archive.org/web/20170413123532www.football-italia.net/101063/official-berlusconi-sells-milan, live, WEB,www.football-italia.net/101067/li-%E2%80%98well-bring-milan-back%E2%80%99, Li: ‘We’ll bring Milan back’, Football Italia, 13 April 2017, 13 April 2017, 17 April 2017,www.football-italia.net/101067/li-%E2%80%98well-bring-milan-back%E2%80%99," title="web.archive.org/web/20170417133747www.football-italia.net/101067/li-%E2%80%98well-bring-milan-back%E2%80%99,">web.archive.org/web/20170417133747www.football-italia.net/101067/li-%E2%80%98well-bring-milan-back%E2%80%99, live,

Political career

Berlusconi rapidly rose to the forefront of Italian politics in January 1994, forming a new party called .NEWS, Berlusconi taps into the Italian Dream, Italian Notebook, The Daily Telegraph, 10 January 1994,www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/126492046/, 24, Newspapers.com, 16 June 2023, 16 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230616091539/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/126492046/, live, NEWS, Italian right enters poll race divided, Ed Vulliamy, The Guardian, 8 January 1994,www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian/126492362/, 12, Newspapers.com, 16 June 2023, 16 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230616090523/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian/126492362/, live, He was elected to the Chamber of Deputies for the first time and appointed as prime minister following the 1994 Italian general election, when Forza Italia gained a majority in the Chamber of Deputies less than three months after having been launched.NEWS, Italy’s tawdry pleasure palace, Ed Vulliamy, The Guardian, 30 March 1994,www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian/126492379/, 20, Newspapers.com, 16 June 2023, 16 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230616091540/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian/126492379/, live, His cabinet collapsed after nine months due to internal disagreements among the coalition parties, and he was succeeded as prime minister by Lamberto Dini.NEWS, Italy to form new government, Associated Press, Ventura County Star, 14 January 1995,www.newspapers.com/article/ventura-county-star/126492404/, 8, 16 June 2023, 16 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230616091146/https://www.newspapers.com/article/ventura-county-star/126492404/, live, In the 1996 Italian general election, Berlusconi was defeated by the centre-left candidate Romano Prodi.NEWS, Prodi has a problem trying to keep Italy’s welfare state, Desmond O’Grady, The Sydney Morning Herald, 10 January 1994,www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald/126492446/, 27, Newspapers.com, 16 June 2023, 16 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230616091731/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald/126492446/, live, In the 2001 Italian general election, he was again the centre-right candidate for prime minister and won against the centre-left candidate Francesco Rutelli.NEWS, Berslusconi wins big in Italian poll, The Guardian, 19 May 2001,www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian/126492474/, 413, Newspapers.com, 16 June 2023, 16 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230616095204/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian/126492474/, live, Berlusconi then formed his second and third cabinets, until 2006. Berlusconi was the leader of the centre-right coalition in the 2006 Italian general election, which he lost by a very narrow margin, his opponent again being Prodi.NEWS, Results show center-left challenger wins Italian election, Associated Press, Alessandra Rizzo, The Missoulian, 10 January 1994,www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian/126492502/, 7, Newspapers.com, 16 June 2023, 16 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230616092443/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian/126492502/, live, He was re-elected in the 2008 Italian general election following the collapse of the Second Prodi government and sworn in for the third time as prime minister on 8 May 2008.NEWS, Di Cesare, Domenico, Ãˆ morto Silvio Berlusconi, la carriera politica per immagini,www.rainews.it/photogallery/2023/04/morto-silvio-berlusconi-la-carriera-politica-per-immagini-6e77b6d1-c1dc-4aa8-b9c3-101d118815fc.html, 14 June 2023, RaiNews, 5 April 2023, it, 14 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230614200848/https://www.rainews.it/photogallery/2023/04/morto-silvio-berlusconi-la-carriera-politica-per-immagini-6e77b6d1-c1dc-4aa8-b9c3-101d118815fc.html, live, After losing his majority in parliament amid growing fiscal problems related to the European debt crisis, the resignation of Berlusconi as prime minister came on 16 November 2011.NEWS,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15708729, Italy crisis: Silvio Berlusconi resigns as PM, BBC News, 13 November 2011,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15708729," title="web.archive.org/web/20131128202636www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15708729,">web.archive.org/web/20131128202636www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15708729, 28 November 2013, BBC News 12 November 2011. Berlusconi led the People of Freedom and its right-wing allies in the campaign for the 2013 Italian general election. Although he initially planned to run for a fifth term as prime minister,WEB, Berlusconi says will run to become Italian PM for fifth time,uk.news.yahoo.com/berlusconi-says-run-become-italian-pm-fifth-time-135640799.html, Yahoo News, 8 December 2012,uk.news.yahoo.com/berlusconi-says-run-become-italian-pm-fifth-time-135640799.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20121212004424uk.news.yahoo.com/berlusconi-says-run-become-italian-pm-fifth-time-135640799.html,">web.archive.org/web/20121212004424uk.news.yahoo.com/berlusconi-says-run-become-italian-pm-fifth-time-135640799.html, 12 December 2012, NEWS,timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/Berlo-plans-comeback-as-PM-in-2013/articleshow/14834452.cms, Berlo plans comeback as PM in 2013, 12 July 2012, The Times of India,timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/Berlo-plans-comeback-as-PM-in-2013/articleshow/14834452.cms," title="web.archive.org/web/20120715164706timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/Berlo-plans-comeback-as-PM-in-2013/articleshow/14834452.cms,">web.archive.org/web/20120715164706timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/Berlo-plans-comeback-as-PM-in-2013/articleshow/14834452.cms, 15 July 2012, NEWS,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20102215, Silvio Berlusconi sentenced for tax fraud, BBC News, 26 October 2012,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20102215," title="web.archive.org/web/20140207101452www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20102215,">web.archive.org/web/20140207101452www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20102215, 7 February 2014, as part of the agreement with the Lega Nord, he would instead plan to lead the coalition without becoming prime minister.NEWS,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/silvio-berlusconi/9785803/Silvio-Berlusconi-will-not-run-for-Italian-prime-minister.html, Silvio Berlusconi ‘will not run for Italian prime minister’, The Daily Telegraph, 7 January 2013, 5 February 2013, London, Andrea, Vogt,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/silvio-berlusconi/9785803/Silvio-Berlusconi-will-not-run-for-Italian-prime-minister.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130918215225www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/silvio-berlusconi/9785803/Silvio-Berlusconi-will-not-run-for-Italian-prime-minister.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130918215225www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/silvio-berlusconi/9785803/Silvio-Berlusconi-will-not-run-for-Italian-prime-minister.html, 18 September 2013, Berlusconi’s centre-right coalition gained 29% of votes, ranking second, after the centre-left coalition Italy Common Good led by Pier Luigi Bersani. Subsequently, Berlusconi’s allies supported the Letta Cabinet headed by Enrico Letta of the Democratic Party, together with the centrist Civic Choice of former prime minister Mario Monti.Facts & Stories {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605005441www.i-italy.org/35892/letta-seeks-slim-and-sober-cabinet |date=5 June 2013 }}. I-Italy (26 April 2013). Retrieved 4 August 2013.Berlusconi was criticised for his electoral coalitions with right-wing populist parties (Lega Nord and the National Alliance) and for apologetic remarks about Mussolini; he also officially apologised for Italy’s actions in Libya during colonial rule.BOOK, The Report: Libya 2008, Oxford Business Group, 2008, 17, While in power, Berlusconi maintained ownership of Mediaset, the largest media company in Italy, and was criticised for his dominance of the Italian media.WEB,www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2012/italy, Italy, Freedom House,www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2012/italy," title="web.archive.org/web/20140503012459www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2012/italy,">web.archive.org/web/20140503012459www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2012/italy, 3 May 2014, 24 April 2012, NEWS,www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/prodi-braces-for-fight-to-curb-berlusconis-media-empire-414662.html, Prodi braces for fight to curb Berlusconi’s media empire, The Independent, 5 September 2006, 5 February 2013, London, Peter, Popham,www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/prodi-braces-for-fight-to-curb-berlusconis-media-empire-414662.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20091011083545www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/prodi-braces-for-fight-to-curb-berlusconis-media-empire-414662.html,">web.archive.org/web/20091011083545www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/prodi-braces-for-fight-to-curb-berlusconis-media-empire-414662.html, 11 October 2009, His leadership was also undermined by sex scandals.WEB,www.nbcnews.com/id/44567847, Opponents tell Berlusconi to quit over sex scandal, NBC News, 18 September 2011, 1 November 2011, 5 March 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230305103453/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/44567847, live,

Beginnings

Berlusconi entered politics in 1994, reportedly admitting to Indro Montanelli and Enzo Biagi that he was forced to do so to avoid imprisonment.Evgenia Peretz (with Federico Rampini) La Dolce Viagra, at Vanity Fair, July 2011 “I am forced to enter politics, otherwise they will put me in prison.” {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414235103www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2011/07/silvio-berlusconi-201107 |date=14 April 2014 }} He served as prime minister of Italy from 1994 to 1995, 2001 to 2006, and 2008 to 2011. His career was racked with controversies and trials; among these was his failure to honour his promise to sell his personal assets in Mediaset, the largest television broadcaster in Italy, to dispel any perceived conflicts of interest.NEWS, Conflitto interessi: Cossiga, Berlusconi venda Mediaset fin che puÃ² â€“ MilanoFinanza News,www.milanofinanza.it/news/conflitto-interessi-cossiga-berlusconi-venda-mediaset-fin-che-puo-172432?archivio=True, 16 June 2023, MF Milano Finanza, 9 April 2006, it, 16 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230616191921/https://www.milanofinanza.it/news/conflitto-interessi-cossiga-berlusconi-venda-mediaset-fin-che-puo-172432?archivio=True, live, In the early 1990s, the five governing parties known as the Pentapartito, including Christian Democracy (), the Italian Socialist Party, the Italian Social-Democratic Party, the Italian Republican Party and the Italian Liberal Party, lost much of their electoral strength almost overnight due to a large number of judicial investigations concerning the financial corruption of many of their foremost members in the Mani Pulite affair. This led to a general expectation that upcoming elections would be won by the Democratic Party of the Left, the heirs to the former Italian Communist Party, and their Alliance of Progressives coalition unless an alternative arose. On 26 January 1994, Berlusconi announced his decision to enter politics, in his own words to “enter the field”, presenting his own political party, , on a platform focused on defeating communists. His political aim was to convince the voters of the Pentapartito, who were shocked and confused by Mani Pulite scandals, that offered both a fresh uniqueness and the continuation of the pro-Western free-market policies followed by Italy since the end of World War II. Shortly after he decided to enter the political arena, investigators into the Mani Pulite affair were said to be close to issuing warrants for the arrest of Berlusconi and senior executives of his business group. During his political career, Berlusconi repeatedly stated that the Mani Pulite investigations were led by communist prosecutors who wanted to establish a Soviet-style government in Italy.NEWS,courses.wcupa.edu/rbove/eco343/060compecon/Europe%20West/Italy/060330berlusc.txt, As Italy Votes, Golden Career of Berlusconi Is at Crossroads, The Wall Street Journal, 30 March 2006,courses.wcupa.edu/rbove/eco343/060compecon/Europe%20West/Italy/060330berlusc.txt," title="web.archive.org/web/20130921051738courses.wcupa.edu/rbove/eco343/060compecon/Europe%20West/Italy/060330berlusc.txt,">web.archive.org/web/20130921051738courses.wcupa.edu/rbove/eco343/060compecon/Europe%20West/Italy/060330berlusc.txt, 21 September 2013, NEWS,www.theamericanmag.com/article.php?article=385&p=2, Italian Election, The Prelude, The American (magazine), The American, 1 April 2006,www.theamericanmag.com/article.php?article=385&p=2," title="web.archive.org/web/20140222014325www.theamericanmag.com/article.php?article=385&p=2,">web.archive.org/web/20140222014325www.theamericanmag.com/article.php?article=385&p=2, 22 February 2014,

1994 electoral victory

{{see also|First Berlusconi government}}(File:Berlusconi-comizio.jpg|thumb|left|Berlusconi during a rally in 1994)To win the March 1994 general election, Berlusconi formed two separate electoral alliances: Pole of Freedoms (Polo delle LibertÃ ) with Lega Nord (Northern League) in northern Italian districts, and another, the Pole of Good Government (Polo del Buon Governo), with the National Alliance (Alleanza Nazionale), heir to the Italian Social Movement, in central and southern regions.JOURNAL, Griffin, Roger, Roger Griffin, AN’s ideological tap-root is still thrust deep into historical Fascism ... retaining many Fascist core values., The ‘Post-Fascism’ of the Alleanza Nazionale: A Case Study in Ideological Morphology, Journal of Political Ideologies, 1, 2, 123â€“145, 1996, 10.1080/13569319608420733, In a pragmatic move, he did not ally with the latter in the North because Lega Nord disliked them. Consequently, was allied with two parties that were not allied with each other.NEWS, Elezioni che hanno fatto la storia: il 1994,www.youtrend.it/2018/02/28/elezioni-che-hanno-fatto-la-storia-il-1994/, 16 June 2023, YouTrend, 28 February 2018, it-IT, 5 February 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230205171514/https://www.youtrend.it/2018/02/28/elezioni-che-hanno-fatto-la-storia-il-1994/, live, Berlusconi launched a massive campaign of electoral advertisements on his three TV networks and prepared his top advertising salesmen with seminars and screen tests, of whom 50 were subsequently elected despite an absence of legislative experience. He subsequently won the elections, with Forza Italia garnering 21% of the popular vote, more than any other single party.WEB,elezionistorico.interno.it/liste.php?tp=C&dt=27/03/1994&cta=I&tpEnte=A&tpSeg=C&numEnte=0&sut1=&sut2=&sut3=&descEnte=&descArea=ITALIA&codTipoSegLeader=, Elezioni della Camera dei Deputati del 27 Marzo 1994, it, Italian Chamber of Deputies,elezionistorico.interno.it/liste.php?tp=C&dt=27%2F03%2F1994&cta=I&tpEnte=A&tpSeg=C&numEnte=0&sut1=&sut2=&sut3=&descEnte=&descArea=ITALIA&codTipoSegLeader=," title="web.archive.org/web/20090612091446elezionistorico.interno.it/liste.php?tp=C&dt=27%2F03%2F1994&cta=I&tpEnte=A&tpSeg=C&numEnte=0&sut1=&sut2=&sut3=&descEnte=&descArea=ITALIA&codTipoSegLeader=,">web.archive.org/web/20090612091446elezionistorico.interno.it/liste.php?tp=C&dt=27%2F03%2F1994&cta=I&tpEnte=A&tpSeg=C&numEnte=0&sut1=&sut2=&sut3=&descEnte=&descArea=ITALIA&codTipoSegLeader=, 12 June 2009, dead, One of the most significant promises that he made to secure victory was that his government would create “one million more jobs”. He was appointed prime minister in 1994, but his term in office was short because of the inherent contradictions in his coalition: the League, a regional party with a strong electoral base in northern Italy, was at that time fluctuating between federalist and separatist positions and the National Alliance was a nationalist party that had yet to renounce neo-fascism at the time.NEWS, Capussela, Andrea, Il declino {{!, Illusioni, disastri e follie: come il 1994 cambiÃ² per sempre l’Italia |url=https://www.linkiesta.it/2019/06/1994-italia-berlusconi-andrea-capussela/ |access-date=16 June 2023 |work=Linkiesta.it |date=21 June 2019 |language=it-IT |archive-date=16 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616075809www.linkiesta.it/2019/06/1994-italia-berlusconi-andrea-capussela/ |url-status=live }}

Fall of the Berlusconi I Cabinet

File:Umberto Bossi e Silvio Berlusconi nel 1997.jpg|thumb|Berlusconi and Umberto Bossi Umberto BossiIn December 1994, following the leaking to the press of news of a fresh investigation by Milan magistrates, Umberto Bossi, leader of the Lega Nord, left the coalition claiming that the electoral pact had not been respected. This in turn forced Berlusconi to resign from office.NEWS, Ma il Cavaliere nel ‘ 94 incolpÃ² il giuda Bossi â€“ la Repubblica.it,ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2003/05/11/ma-il-cavaliere-nel-94-incolpo.html, 14 June 2023, Archivio â€“ la Repubblica.it, 11 May 2003, it, 25 April 2022,ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2003/05/11/ma-il-cavaliere-nel-94-incolpo.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20220425185106ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2003/05/11/ma-il-cavaliere-nel-94-incolpo.html,">web.archive.org/web/20220425185106ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2003/05/11/ma-il-cavaliere-nel-94-incolpo.html, live, Lega Nord also resented the fact that many of its MPs had switched to Forza Italia, allegedly lured by promises of more prestigious portfolios. In 1998, various articles attacking Berlusconi were published by Lega Nord’s official newspaper La Padania, with titles such as “La Fininvest Ã¨ nata da Cosa Nostra” (“Fininvest [Berlusconi’s principal company] was founded by the Mafia“).NEWS, Bossi vs Berlusconi, c’eravamo tanto odiati Dal “mafioso di Arcore” alla “mezza cartuccia”,www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2012/01/26/bozza-insulti-bossi-berlusconi/186654/, 14 June 2023, Il Fatto Quotidiano, 26 January 2012, it-IT, 22 August 2022,www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2012/01/26/bozza-insulti-bossi-berlusconi/186654/," title="web.archive.org/web/20220822170843www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2012/01/26/bozza-insulti-bossi-berlusconi/186654/,">web.archive.org/web/20220822170843www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2012/01/26/bozza-insulti-bossi-berlusconi/186654/, live, Berlusconi remained as caretaker prime minister for a little over a month until his replacement by a technocratic government headed by Lamberto Dini. Dini had been a key minister in the Berlusconi cabinet, and Berlusconi said the only way he would support a technocratic government would be if Dini headed it. In the end, Dini was supported by most of the opposition parties but not by Forza Italia and Lega Nord.BOOK, The Organization of Political Parties in Southern Europe, Piero Ignazi, Colette Ysmal, Greenwood Publishing Group, 1998, 9780275956127, 106, In 1996, Berlusconi and his coalition lost the elections and were replaced by a centre-left government led by Romano Prodi.WEB,www.forza-italia.it/notizie/int_2817.htm,www.forza-italia.it/notizie/int_2817.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20070313005130www.forza-italia.it/notizie/int_2817.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20070313005130www.forza-italia.it/notizie/int_2817.htm, 13 March 2007, The First Seven Years of Forza Italia,

2001 electoral victory

In 2001, Berlusconi ran again, as leader of the right-wing coalition House of Freedoms (La Casa delle LibertÃ ), which included the Union of Christian and Centre Democrats, Lega Nord, the National Alliance, and other parties. Berlusconi’s success in the May 2001 general election led to him becoming prime minister once more, with the coalition receiving 49.6% of the vote for the Chamber of Deputies and 42.5% for the Senate of the Republic.NEWS, la Repubblica/elezioni: La Casa delle liberta’ vince nelle due Camere,www.repubblica.it/online/elezioni/vincitori/vincitori/vincitori.html, 14 June 2023, La Repubblica, 14 May 2001, 14 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230614073159/https://www.repubblica.it/online/elezioni/vincitori/vincitori/vincitori.html, live, On the television interview programme Porta a Porta, during the last days of the electoral campaign, Berlusconi created a powerful impression on the public by undertaking to sign the Contratto con gli Italiani (Contract with the Italians), an idea copied by his advisor Luigi Crespi from Newt Gingrich’s Contract with America introduced six weeks before the 1994 US elections.BOOK, Gingrich, Newt, Newt Gingrich, Armey, Dick, Dick Armey, Contract With America: The Bold Plan, 1994, Contract With America, This was considered to be a creative masterstroke in his 2001 bid for prime ministership. Berlusconi committed in this contract to improving several aspects of the Italian economy and life, and promised to not stand for re-election in 2006 if he failed to honour at least four of these five promises. Firstly, he undertook to simplify the complex Italian national tax system by introducing just two income tax rates (33% for those earning over 100,000 euros, and 23% for anyone earning less than that figure: anyone earning less than 11,000 euros a year would not be taxed). Secondly, he promised to halve the unemployment rate. Thirdly, he committed to financing and developing a massive new public works programme. Fourthly, he promised to raise the minimum monthly pension rate to 516 euros. Fifthly, he would reduce crime by introducing police officers to patrol all local zones and areas in Italy’s major cities.BOOK, Ricolfi, Luca, Luca Ricolfi, Dossier Italia: a che punto Ã¨ il ‘contratto con gli italiani, Il mulino, 2005,

Berlusconi II Cabinet

File:Bill Clinton, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush and Silvio Berlusconi.jpg|thumb|Berlusconi with US president George W. Bush and former presidents Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush George H. W. BushOpposition parties claim Berlusconi was not able to achieve the goals he promised in his Contratto con gli Italiani. Some of his partners in government, especially the National Alliance and the Union of Christian and Centre Democrats, admitted the Government fell short of the promises made in the agreement, attributing the failure to an unforeseeable downturn in global economic conditions. Berlusconi himself consistently asserted that he achieved all the goals of the agreement, and said his Government provided un miracolo continuo (a continuous miracle) that made all ‘earlier governments pale’ (by comparison). He attributed the widespread failure to recognise these achievements to a campaign of mystification and vilification in the print media, asserting that 85% of newspapers were opposed to him.WEB,www.repubblica.it/2004/e/sezioni/politica/campagna3/goveber/goveber.html, Berlusconi: ‘Successi straordinari Contro di me l’85% dei giornali’, La Repubblica, 24 maggio 2004, la Repubblica, 24 May 2004, 17 November 2011,www.repubblica.it/2004/e/sezioni/politica/campagna3/goveber/goveber.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131022060704www.repubblica.it/2004/e/sezioni/politica/campagna3/goveber/goveber.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131022060704www.repubblica.it/2004/e/sezioni/politica/campagna3/goveber/goveber.html, 22 October 2013, Luca Ricolfi, an independent analyst, held that Berlusconi had managed to deliver only one promise out of five, the one concerning minimum pension rates. According to Ricolfi, the other four promises were not honoured, in particular the undertakings on tax simplification and crime reduction.BOOK, Ricolfi, Luca, Luca Ricolfi, Tempo scaduto. Il “Contratto con gli italiani” alla prova dei fatti, Il Mulino, 2006, 978-88-15-10888-3,

Subsequent elections

The House of Freedoms did not do as well in the 2003 local elections as it did in the 2001 national elections. In common with many other European governing groups, in the 2004 elections to the European Parliament, gained 43.37% support.{{clarify|date=October 2017}} Forza Italia’s support was also reduced from 29.5% to 21.0% (in the 1999 European elections Forza Italia had 25.2%).NEWS, Europee, crolla Berlusconi L’Ulivo non sfonda, la Repubblica,www.repubblica.it/2004/f/sezioni/politica/risu2004/proiezz/proiezz.html, 13 June 2023, 14 June 2004, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060431/https://www.repubblica.it/2004/f/sezioni/politica/risu2004/proiezz/proiezz.html, live, As an outcome of these results, the other coalition parties, whose electoral results were more satisfactory, asked Berlusconi and Forza Italia for greater influence on the government’s political line.NEWS, Bossi: “Lega indistruttibile” Castelli: “Nella Cdl vinciamo noi”, la Repubblica,www.repubblica.it/2004/f/sezioni/politica/riso2004due/bossilega/bossilega.html, 13 June 2023, 16 June 2004, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060434/https://www.repubblica.it/2004/f/sezioni/politica/riso2004due/bossilega/bossilega.html, live,

Berlusconi III Cabinet

{{see also|2005 Italian regional elections}}In the regional elections on 3â€“4 April 2005, centre-left candidates for regional presidencies won in 11 out of 13 regions where control of local governments and presidencies were at stake.NEWS, Repubblica.it Ã‚Â» politica Ã‚Â» Elezioni, An e Udc in pressing “Berlusconi faccia proposte”,www.repubblica.it/2005/d/sezioni/politica/regio2005uno/cdlit/cdlit.html, 13 June 2023, La Repubblica, 5 April 2005, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060435/https://www.repubblica.it/2005/d/sezioni/politica/regio2005uno/cdlit/cdlit.html, live, NEWS, Repubblica.it Ã‚Â» politica Ã‚Â» Dopo la prudenza l’Unione esulta “Siamo maggioranza nel Paese”,www.repubblica.it/2005/d/sezioni/politica/regio2005/reaunione/reaunione.html, 13 June 2023, La Repubblica, 4 April 2005, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060434/https://www.repubblica.it/2005/d/sezioni/politica/regio2005/reaunione/reaunione.html, live, Berlusconi’s coalition held only two of the regions (Lombardy and Veneto) up for re-election. Three parties, Union of Christian and Centre Democrats, National Alliance and New Italian Socialist Party, threatened to withdraw from the Berlusconi government. Berlusconi after some hesitation, then presented to the president of Italy a request for the dissolution of his government on 20 April. On 23 April, he formed a new government with the same allies, reshuffling ministers and amending the government programme.NEWS, Repubblica.it Ã‚Â» politica Ã‚Â» Nasce il Berlusconi bis Dentro Tremonti, fuori Follini,www.repubblica.it/2005/d/sezioni/politica/crisigoverno4/compogove/compogove.html, 13 June 2023, La Repubblica, 23 April 2005, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060435/https://www.repubblica.it/2005/d/sezioni/politica/crisigoverno4/compogove/compogove.html, live, A key point demanded by the Union of Christian and Centre Democrats and to a lesser extent by the National Alliance for their continued support was that the strong focus on tax reduction be reduced.NEWS, Repubblica.it Ã‚Â» politica Ã‚Â» Berlusconi, il giorno del bis “Tutte le caselle sono a posto”,www.repubblica.it/2005/d/sezioni/politica/crisigoverno4/berbi/berbi.html, 13 June 2023, La Repubblica, 23 April 2005, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060435/https://www.repubblica.it/2005/d/sezioni/politica/crisigoverno4/berbi/berbi.html, live,

Attempt to reform the Italian constitution

A key point in the Berlusconi government’s programme was a planned reform of the Italian constitution, which Berlusconi considered to be inspired by the Soviet Union,NEWS,www.repubblica.it/online/politica/berluparla/torino/torino.html, Berlusconi: “La Costituzione Ã¨ di ispirazione sovietica”, it, la Repubblica, 12 April 2003,www.repubblica.it/online/politica/berluparla/torino/torino.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131026002229www.repubblica.it/online/politica/berluparla/torino/torino.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131026002229www.repubblica.it/online/politica/berluparla/torino/torino.html, 26 October 2013, an issue on which the coalition parties themselves initially had significantly different opinions. Lega Nord insisted on a federalist reform (devolution of more power to the regions) as a condition for remaining in the coalition.NEWS, Northern League calls for devolution of Rome’s power, Peter, Popham, The Independent, 20 September 2003,www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent/126405517/, 16, 14 June 2023, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060431/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent/126405517/, live, The National Alliance party pushed for a strong premiership (more powers to the prime minister).BOOK,books.google.com/books?id=m3CBAgAAQBAJ, 169, Political Institutions in Europe, Josep Colomer, Routledge, 2003, 1134497318, 15 June 2023, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060430/https://books.google.com/books?id=m3CBAgAAQBAJ, live, Difficulties in negotiating an agreement caused some internal unrest in the Berlusconi government in 2003, but they were mostly overcome and the law including devolution of powers to the regions, Federal Senate, and strong premiership, was passed by the Senate in April 2004; it was slightly modified by the Chamber of Deputies in October 2004, and again in October 2005, and finally approved by the Senate on 16 November 2005, with a narrow majority. Approval in a referendum is necessary to amend the Italian constitution without a qualified two-thirds parliamentary majority. The referendum was held on 25â€“26 June 2006 and resulted in the rejection of the constitutional reform, with 61.3% of voters casting ballots against it.NEWS, Italy votes in reform referendum,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5110326.stm, 13 June 2023, BBC, 25 June 2006, 20 June 2023,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5110326.stm," title="web.archive.org/web/20230620060431news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5110326.stm,">web.archive.org/web/20230620060431news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5110326.stm, live, BOOK, Dieter Nohlen, Philip StÃ¶ver, 2010, Elections in Europe: A data handbook, 1049, Nomos, 978-3-8329-5609-7,

2006 general election and opposition

File:Silvio Berlusconi to a joint session of Congress.jpg|thumb|Berlusconi addressing a joint session of the US Congress US CongressOperating under a new electoral law written unilaterally by the governing parties with strong criticism from the parliamentary opposition, the April 2006 general election was held. The results of this election handed Romano Prodi’s centre-left coalition, known as The Union (Berlusconi’s opposition), a very thin majority: 49.8% against 49.7% for the centre-right coalition House of Freedoms in the Lower House, and a two-senator lead in the Senate (158 senators for The Union and 156 for the House of Freedoms).NEWS, Camera, scrutinio al cardiopalma Unione vince per un pugno di voti â€“ Politica â€“ Repubblica.it,www.repubblica.it/2006/04/sezioni/politica/elezioni-2006-7/camera-voto/camera-voto.html, 13 June 2023, La Repubblica, 11 April 2006, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060437/https://www.repubblica.it/2006/04/sezioni/politica/elezioni-2006-7/camera-voto/camera-voto.html, live, The Court of Cassation subsequently validated the voting procedures and determined that the election process was constitutional.NEWS, I dubbi sulle schede contestate Cento giudici per 70.000 voti â€“ Politica â€“ Repubblica.it,www.repubblica.it/2006/04/sezioni/politica/elezioni-2006-8/voti-contestati/voti-contestati.html, 13 June 2023, La Repubblica, 11 April 2006, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060438/https://www.repubblica.it/2006/04/sezioni/politica/elezioni-2006-8/voti-contestati/voti-contestati.html, live, NEWS, La Cassazione conferma la vittoria dell’Unione â€“ Politica â€“ Repubblica.it,www.repubblica.it/2006/04/sezioni/politica/dopo-elezioni-2006/cassazione-conferma-unione/cassazione-conferma-unione.html, 13 June 2023, La Repubblica, 19 April 2006, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060437/https://www.repubblica.it/2006/04/sezioni/politica/dopo-elezioni-2006/cassazione-conferma-unione/cassazione-conferma-unione.html, live, According to the new electoral rules, The Union, nicknamed “The Soviet Union” by Berlusconi,NEWS,www.repubblica.it/2005/b/sezioni/politica/cdltre/berlusparla/berlusparla.html, Berlusconi sull’Unione “Rimpiangono quella Sovietica”, it, la Repubblica, 11 February 2005,www.repubblica.it/2005/b/sezioni/politica/cdltre/berlusparla/berlusparla.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20121020162753www.repubblica.it/2005/b/sezioni/politica/cdltre/berlusparla/berlusparla.html,">web.archive.org/web/20121020162753www.repubblica.it/2005/b/sezioni/politica/cdltre/berlusparla/berlusparla.html, 20 October 2012, with a margin of only 25,224 votes (out of over 38 million voters) won 348 seats (compared to 281 for the House of Freedoms) in the lower house given to whichever coalition of parties was awarded more votes as a result of the majority bonus system.NEWS, Corriere della Sera,www.corriere.it/Speciali/Politica/2006/Politiche2006/SEAS/camera/italia/20060409000000_11_ITALIA_IT.shtml, 13 June 2023, 11 April 2006, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060433/https://www.corriere.it/Speciali/Politica/2006/Politiche2006/SEAS/camera/italia/20060409000000_11_ITALIA_IT.shtml, live, This electoral law, approved shortly before the election by Berlusconi’s coalition in an attempt to improve their chances of winning the election, led to the coalition’s defeat and gave Prodi the chance to form a new cabinet. Prodi’s coalition government consisted of a large number of smaller parties. If only one of these nine parties that formed The Union withdrew its support to Prodi, his government would have collapsed. This situation was also the result of the new electoral system.NEWS,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7208705.stm, Will Italian opposition’s glee last?, BBC News, 25 January 2008, 27 January 2008, Christian, Fraser,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7208705.stm," title="web.archive.org/web/20090930115456news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7208705.stm,">web.archive.org/web/20090930115456news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7208705.stm, 30 September 2009, Centrist parties such as the Union of Christian and Centre Democrats immediately conceded The Union’s victory, while other parties, like Berlusconi’s Forza Italia and the Northern League, refused to accept its validity, right up until 2 May 2006, when Berlusconi submitted his resignation to then President of the Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.NEWS,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4963882.stm, Berlusconi resigns as Italian PM, BBC News, 2 May 2006,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4963882.stm," title="web.archive.org/web/20120320061900news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4963882.stm,">web.archive.org/web/20120320061900news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4963882.stm, 20 March 2012,

2008 electoral victory

{{see also|2008 Italian political crisis}}File:Silvio Berlusconi (CS 7).jpg|thumb|upright|Berlusconi addressing a crowd during a PdL PdLIn the run-up to the 2006 general election, there had been talk among some of the coalition members of the House of Freedoms about a possible merger into a “united party of moderates and reformers”. Forza Italia, the National Alliance of Gianfranco Fini, and the Union of Christian and Centre Democrats of Pier Ferdinando Casini all seemed interested in the project. Soon after the election, Casini started to distance his party from its historical allies. On 2 December 2006, during a major demonstration of the centre-right in Rome against the Prodi II Cabinet, Berlusconi proposed the foundation of a Freedom Party, arguing that the people and voters of the different political movements aligned to the demonstration were all part of a people of freedom.NEWS, Berlusconi alla sua piazza “E’ il popolo che sceglie il leader” â€“ Politica â€“ Repubblica.it,www.repubblica.it/2006/12/sezioni/politica/cdl-5/comizi-leader/comizi-leader.html, 13 June 2023, La Repubblica, 2 December 2006, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060431/https://www.repubblica.it/2006/12/sezioni/politica/cdl-5/comizi-leader/comizi-leader.html, live, NEWS, Palermo, Casini sfida la Cdl “Contro Prodi non basta la piazza” â€“ Politica â€“ Repubblica.it,www.repubblica.it/2006/12/sezioni/politica/cdl-5/casini-palermo/casini-palermo.html, 13 June 2023, La Repubblica, 2 December 2006, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060431/https://www.repubblica.it/2006/12/sezioni/politica/cdl-5/casini-palermo/casini-palermo.html, live, On 18 November 2007, after claiming the collection of more than 7 million signatures (including that of Umberto Bossi) demanding that then President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano call a fresh election,WEB, FI: 7 Milioni di firme per nuovo governo,www.ansa.it/opencms/export/site/notizie/rubriche/daassociare/visualizza_new.html_65041167.html,www.ansa.it/opencms/export/site/notizie/rubriche/daassociare/visualizza_new.html_65041167.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20071120051659www.ansa.it/opencms/export/site/notizie/rubriche/daassociare/visualizza_new.html_65041167.html,">web.archive.org/web/20071120051659www.ansa.it/opencms/export/site/notizie/rubriche/daassociare/visualizza_new.html_65041167.html, it, 18 November 2007, 20 November 2007, Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata, ANSA, Berlusconi announced from the running board of a car in a crowded Piazza San Babila in Milan that Forza Italia would soon merge or transform into The People of Freedom, also known as the PdL (Il Popolo della LibertÃ ).WEB, Oggi nasce il partito del popolo italiano,www.corriere.it/politica/07_novembre_18/berlusconi_partito_popolo_italiano.shtml, 17 November 2007, it, Corriere della Sera,www.corriere.it/politica/07_novembre_18/berlusconi_partito_popolo_italiano.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20131029201937www.corriere.it/politica/07_novembre_18/berlusconi_partito_popolo_italiano.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20131029201937www.corriere.it/politica/07_novembre_18/berlusconi_partito_popolo_italiano.shtml, 29 October 2013, WEB, Berlusconi: Nuovo Partito, Bipolarismo non Possibile,www.ansa.it/opencms/export/site/visualizza_fdg.html_65043240.html,www.ansa.it/opencms/export/site/visualizza_fdg.html_65043240.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20071120051744www.ansa.it/opencms/export/site/visualizza_fdg.html_65043240.html,">web.archive.org/web/20071120051744www.ansa.it/opencms/export/site/visualizza_fdg.html_65043240.html, it, 19 November 2007, 20 November 2007, Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata, ANSA, Berlusconi also stated that this new political movement could include the participation of other parties.NEWS, Via l’Ici e stretta sulle intercettazioni,www.corriere.it/politica/08_gennaio_25/berlusconi_napoli_a48218f8-cb73-11dc-9e0e-0003ba99c667.shtml, Corriere della Sera, it, 25 January 2008,www.corriere.it/politica/08_gennaio_25/berlusconi_napoli_a48218f8-cb73-11dc-9e0e-0003ba99c667.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20131029201351www.corriere.it/politica/08_gennaio_25/berlusconi_napoli_a48218f8-cb73-11dc-9e0e-0003ba99c667.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20131029201351www.corriere.it/politica/08_gennaio_25/berlusconi_napoli_a48218f8-cb73-11dc-9e0e-0003ba99c667.shtml, 29 October 2013, Both supporters and critics of the new party called Berlusconi’s announcement “the running board revolution” (Italian: la rivoluzione del predellino).WEB, “Caste” is 2007’s Word of the Year,www.corriere.it/english/articoli/2008/01_Gennaio/02/casta.shtml, Corriere della Sera, 2 January 2008,www.corriere.it/english/articoli/2008/01_Gennaio/02/casta.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20121106044612www.corriere.it/english/articoli/2008/01_Gennaio/02/casta.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20121106044612www.corriere.it/english/articoli/2008/01_Gennaio/02/casta.shtml, 6 November 2012, NEWS, Il futuro della rivoluzione del predellino,www.tempi.it/editoriale/002715-il-futuro-della-rivoluzione-del-predellino, Tempi, it, 3 September 2008,www.tempi.it/editoriale/002715-il-futuro-della-rivoluzione-del-predellino," title="web.archive.org/web/20120225130136www.tempi.it/editoriale/002715-il-futuro-della-rivoluzione-del-predellino,">web.archive.org/web/20120225130136www.tempi.it/editoriale/002715-il-futuro-della-rivoluzione-del-predellino, 25 February 2012, NEWS, E per la rivoluzione del predellino il Cavaliere lascia giacca e cravatta,ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2007/12/16/per-la-rivoluzione-del-predellino-il.html,ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2007/12/16/per-la-rivoluzione-del-predellino-il.html," title="archive.today/20120713025112ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2007/12/16/per-la-rivoluzione-del-predellino-il.html,">archive.today/20120713025112ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2007/12/16/per-la-rivoluzione-del-predellino-il.html, dead, 13 July 2012, la Repubblica, it, 16 December 2007, File:3684018560 ca14639e91 o Barack Obama with Silvio Berlusconi ORIGINAL SIZE.jpg|thumb|left|Berlusconi with US president Barack Obama in the Oval Office Oval OfficeAfter the sudden fall of the Prodi II Cabinet on 24 January, the break-up of The Union, and the subsequent political crisis, which paved the way for a fresh general election in April 2008, Berlusconi, Gianfranco Fini and other party leaders finally agreed on 8 February 2008 to form the PdL joint list, allied with Lega Nord of Bossi and the Movement for Autonomy of Raffaele Lombardo.NEWS,www.lastampa.it/redazione/cmsSezioni/politica/200802articoli/29934girata.asp, Svolta di Berlusconi, arriva il Pdl: “Forza Italia-An sotto stesso simbolo”, it, La Stampa, 8 February 2008,www1.lastampa.it/redazione/cmsSezioni/politica/200802articoli/29934girata.asp," title="web.archive.org/web/20131029214056www1.lastampa.it/redazione/cmsSezioni/politica/200802articoli/29934girata.asp,">web.archive.org/web/20131029214056www1.lastampa.it/redazione/cmsSezioni/politica/200802articoli/29934girata.asp, 29 October 2013, In the snap elections held on 13â€“14 April 2008, this coalition won against Walter Veltroni’s centre-left coalition in both houses of the Italian Parliament.NEWS, Italy returns Berlusconi to power,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7347618.stm, 14 June 2023, BBC, 15 April 2008, 21 May 2014,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7347618.stm," title="web.archive.org/web/20140521031429news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7347618.stm,">web.archive.org/web/20140521031429news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7347618.stm, live, In the 315-member Senate of the Republic, Berlusconi’s coalition won 174 seats to Veltroni’s 134. In the lower house, Berlusconi’s conservative bloc led by a margin of 9% of the vote: 46.5% (344 seats) to 37.5% (246 seats).NEWS, Pdl a valanga, Berlusconi esulta Veltroni lo chiama: “Hai vinto” â€“ Politica â€“ Repubblica.it,www.repubblica.it/2008/04/sezioni/politica/elezioni-2008/esito-elezioni/esito-elezioni.html, 14 June 2023, La Repubblica, 14 April 2008, 14 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230614074748/https://www.repubblica.it/2008/04/sezioni/politica/elezioni-2008/esito-elezioni/esito-elezioni.html, live, Berlusconi capitalised on discontent over the nation’s stagnating economy and the unpopularity of Prodi’s government. His declared top priorities were to remove piles of rubbish from the streets of Naples and to improve the state of the Italian economy, which had under-performed the rest of the eurozone for years. He also said he was open to working with the opposition, and pledged to fight tax avoidance and tax evasion, reform the judicial system and reduce public debt. He intended to reduce the number of cabinet ministers to 12. Berlusconi and his ministers (Berlusconi IV Cabinet) were sworn in on 8 May 2008.NEWS, Giura il governo, nasce il Berlusconi IV Corriere della Sera,www.corriere.it/politica/08_maggio_08/giuramento_nuovo_governo_9d988f42-1cfc-11dd-95fc-00144f486ba6.shtml, 14 June 2023, Corriere della Sera, 8 May 2008, 14 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230614074747/https://www.corriere.it/politica/08_maggio_08/giuramento_nuovo_governo_9d988f42-1cfc-11dd-95fc-00144f486ba6.shtml, live, File:Flickr - NewsPhoto! - Italianen protesteren in Amsterdam.jpg|thumb|Anti-Berlusconi demonstration, held during his visit to Amsterdam AmsterdamOn 21 November 2008, the National Council of Forza Italia dissolved Forza Italia and established the PdL, whose inauguration took place on 27 March 2009, the 15th anniversary of Berlusconi’s first electoral victory.WEB, Popolo della libertÃ nell’Enciclopedia Treccani,www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/popolo-della-liberta/, treccani.it, Enciclopedia Treccani, 14 June 2023, it-IT, 14 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230614074747/https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/popolo-della-liberta/, live, While Forza Italia had never held a formal party congress to formulate its rules, procedures, and democratic balloting for candidates and issues, (since 1994 three party conventions of Forza Italia have been held, all of them resolving to support Berlusconi and reelecting him by acclamation) on 27 March 2009, at the foundation congress of the PdL political movement the statute of the new party was subject to a vote of approval. On 5,820 voting delegates, 5,811 voted in favour, 4 against and 5 abstained.NEWS,giornaleonline.unionesarda.ilsole24ore.com/Articolo.aspx?Data=20090330&Categ=1&Voce=2&IdArticolo=2336849, La Russa, Verdini, Bondi: ecco il triumvirato, it, L’Unione Sarda, 30 March 2009, {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} During that political congress Berlusconi was elected as chairman of the PdL by a show of hands. According to the official minutes of the congress the result favoured Berlusconi, with 100 per cent of the delegates voting for him.NEWS,rassegna.governo.it/rs_pdf/pdf/KYK/KYK85.pdf, Il leader del PdL eletto per alzata di mano, it, Avvenire, 4 March 2009,rassegna.governo.it/rs_pdf/pdf/KYK/KYK85.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20110825162346rassegna.governo.it/rs_pdf/pdf/KYK/KYK85.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20110825162346rassegna.governo.it/rs_pdf/pdf/KYK/KYK85.pdf, dead, 25 August 2011, NEWS, Berlusconi: comizio e apoteosi E a Fini nemmeno una risposta,www.repubblica.it/2009/03/sezioni/politica/congresso-pdl/giornata-terza/giornata-terza.html, la Repubblica, it, 29 March 2009,www.repubblica.it/2009/03/sezioni/politica/congresso-pdl/giornata-terza/giornata-terza.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131101224134www.repubblica.it/2009/03/sezioni/politica/congresso-pdl/giornata-terza/giornata-terza.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131101224134www.repubblica.it/2009/03/sezioni/politica/congresso-pdl/giornata-terza/giornata-terza.html, 1 November 2013, NEWS, Presidenza e direzione: la struttura del nuovo partito,www.ilsole24ore.com/art/SoleOnLine4/dossier/Italia/2009/congresso-pdl/cronaca/struttura-pdl.shtml?uuid=93a98062-1c66-11de-a0ac-32a0d777771b&DocRulesView=Libero, Il Sole 24 Ore, it, 29 March 2009,www.ilsole24ore.com/art/SoleOnLine4/dossier/Italia/2009/congresso-pdl/cronaca/struttura-pdl.shtml?uuid=93a98062-1c66-11de-a0ac-32a0d777771b&DocRulesView=Libero," title="web.archive.org/web/20131102113752www.ilsole24ore.com/art/SoleOnLine4/dossier/Italia/2009/congresso-pdl/cronaca/struttura-pdl.shtml?uuid=93a98062-1c66-11de-a0ac-32a0d777771b&DocRulesView=Libero,">web.archive.org/web/20131102113752www.ilsole24ore.com/art/SoleOnLine4/dossier/Italia/2009/congresso-pdl/cronaca/struttura-pdl.shtml?uuid=93a98062-1c66-11de-a0ac-32a0d777771b&DocRulesView=Libero, 2 November 2013,

The People of Freedom split

{{see also|Future and Freedom|The People of Freedom}}File:Alte cariche.jpg|thumb|Berlusconi with Gianfranco Fini, Renato Schifani and then President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano Giorgio NapolitanoBetween 2009 and 2010, Gianfranco Fini, former leader of the national conservative National Alliance (AN) and President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, became a vocal critic of the leadership of Berlusconi. Fini departed from party’s majority line on several issues but, most of all, he was a proponent of a more structured party organisation. His criticism was aimed at the leadership style of Berlusconi, who tends to rely on his personal charisma to lead the party from the centre and supports a less structured form of party, a movement-party that organises itself only at election times.WEB,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2009/settembre/16/premier_consegna_prime_case_Poi_co_8_090916015.shtml, Il premier consegna le prime case Poi l’ attacco in tv, Corriere della Sera, 16 September 2009,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2009/settembre/16/premier_consegna_prime_case_Poi_co_8_090916015.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20121105145607archiviostorico.corriere.it/2009/settembre/16/premier_consegna_prime_case_Poi_co_8_090916015.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20121105145607archiviostorico.corriere.it/2009/settembre/16/premier_consegna_prime_case_Poi_co_8_090916015.shtml, 5 November 2012, On 15 April 2010, an association named Generation Italy was launched to better represent Fini’s views within the party and push for a different form of party organisation.WEB,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/marzo/15/Via_Generazione_Italia_nuova_associazione_co_9_100315008.shtml, Via a Generazione Italia la nuova associazione “benedetta” da Fini, Corriere della Sera, 15 March 2010,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/marzo/15/Via_Generazione_Italia_nuova_associazione_co_9_100315008.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20121105145714archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/marzo/15/Via_Generazione_Italia_nuova_associazione_co_9_100315008.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20121105145714archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/marzo/15/Via_Generazione_Italia_nuova_associazione_co_9_100315008.shtml, 5 November 2012, On 22 April 2010 the National Committee of the PdL convened in Rome for the first time in a year. The conflict between Fini and Berlusconi was covered live on television. At the end of the day, a resolution proposed by Berlusconi’s loyalists was put before the assembly and approved by a landslide margin.WEB,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/aprile/23/sfida_del_cofondatore_Non_sono_co_8_100423002.shtml, La sfida del cofondatore “Non sono un dipendente SarÃ lui a bruciarsi”, Corriere della Sera, 23 April 2010,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/aprile/23/sfida_del_cofondatore_Non_sono_co_8_100423002.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20121105145634archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/aprile/23/sfida_del_cofondatore_Non_sono_co_8_100423002.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20121105145634archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/aprile/23/sfida_del_cofondatore_Non_sono_co_8_100423002.shtml, 5 November 2012, On 29 July 2010, the party executive released a document in which Fini was described as “incompatible” with the political line of the PdL and unable to perform his job of President of the Chamber of Deputies in a neutral way. Berlusconi asked Fini to step down, and the executive proposed the suspension from party membership of three MPs who had harshly criticised Berlusconi and accused some party members of criminal offences.WEB,www.repubblica.it/politica/2010/07/29/news/pdl_il_documento_dell_ufficio_di_presidenza-5938625/?ref=HREA-1, Pdl, il documento dell’Ufficio di Presidenza, la Repubblica, 29 July 2010,www.repubblica.it/politica/2010/07/29/news/pdl_il_documento_dell_ufficio_di_presidenza-5938625/?ref=HREA-1," title="web.archive.org/web/20131029201300www.repubblica.it/politica/2010/07/29/news/pdl_il_documento_dell_ufficio_di_presidenza-5938625/?ref=HREA-1,">web.archive.org/web/20131029201300www.repubblica.it/politica/2010/07/29/news/pdl_il_documento_dell_ufficio_di_presidenza-5938625/?ref=HREA-1, 29 October 2013, As response, Fini and his followers formed their own groups in both chambers under the name of Future and Freedom (FLI).WEB,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/luglio/31/Via_gruppi_finiani_Qualche_difficolta_co_8_100731003.shtml, Via ai gruppi finiani “Qualche difficoltÃ ma numeri importanti”, Corriere della Sera, 31 July 2010,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/luglio/31/Via_gruppi_finiani_Qualche_difficolta_co_8_100731003.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20131029202159archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/luglio/31/Via_gruppi_finiani_Qualche_difficolta_co_8_100731003.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20131029202159archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/luglio/31/Via_gruppi_finiani_Qualche_difficolta_co_8_100731003.shtml, 29 October 2013, WEB,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/agosto/01/Previsioni_sbagliate_sui_numeri_nel_co_8_100801004.shtml, Previsioni sbagliate sui numeri: nel mirino le fedelissime, Corriere della Sera, 1 August 2010,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/agosto/01/Previsioni_sbagliate_sui_numeri_nel_co_8_100801004.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20121105145808archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/agosto/01/Previsioni_sbagliate_sui_numeri_nel_co_8_100801004.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20121105145808archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/agosto/01/Previsioni_sbagliate_sui_numeri_nel_co_8_100801004.shtml, 5 November 2012, WEB,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/agosto/02/Finiani_pronto_gruppo_anche_Senato_co_9_100802014.shtml, Finiani, pronto il gruppo anche al Senato, Corriere della Sera, 1 August 2010,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/agosto/02/Finiani_pronto_gruppo_anche_Senato_co_9_100802014.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20131029202203archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/agosto/02/Finiani_pronto_gruppo_anche_Senato_co_9_100802014.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20131029202203archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/agosto/02/Finiani_pronto_gruppo_anche_Senato_co_9_100802014.shtml, 29 October 2013, NEWS,www.economist.com/node/16743353, Italy’s political crisis: A FLI in his ear, The Economist, 5 August 2010,web.archive.org/web/20101216045935/https://www.economist.com/node/16743353, 16 December 2010, It was soon clear that FLI would leave the PdL and become an independent party. On 7 November, during a convention in Bastia Umbra, Fini asked Berlusconi to step down from his post of prime minister and proposed a new government including the Union of the Centre (UdC).WEB,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/novembre/08/Fini_premier_dimetta_noi_lasceremo_co_8_101108064.shtml, Fini: “Il premier si dimetta o noi lasceremo il governo”, Corriere della Sera, 24 December 2009, 17 November 2011,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/novembre/08/Fini_premier_dimetta_noi_lasceremo_co_8_101108064.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20121105145503archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/novembre/08/Fini_premier_dimetta_noi_lasceremo_co_8_101108064.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20121105145503archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/novembre/08/Fini_premier_dimetta_noi_lasceremo_co_8_101108064.shtml, 5 November 2012, A few days later, the four FLI members of the government resigned.WEB,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/novembre/16/finiani_fuori_dal_governo_Duello_co_9_101116035.shtml, I finiani fuori dal governo Duello sul voto di fiducia, Corriere della Sera, 24 December 2009, 17 November 2011,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/novembre/16/finiani_fuori_dal_governo_Duello_co_9_101116035.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20121105145553archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/novembre/16/finiani_fuori_dal_governo_Duello_co_9_101116035.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20121105145553archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/novembre/16/finiani_fuori_dal_governo_Duello_co_9_101116035.shtml, 5 November 2012, On 14 December, FLI voted against Berlusconi in a vote of confidence in the Chamber of Deputies, a vote nonetheless won by Berlusconi by 314 to 311.WEB,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/novembre/17/Dal_Pdl_Fli_andata_ritorno_co_8_101117015.shtml, Dal Pdl a Fli, andata e ritorno Angeli: vedrÃ² il Cavaliere, Corriere della Sera, 24 December 2009, 17 November 2011,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/novembre/17/Dal_Pdl_Fli_andata_ritorno_co_8_101117015.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20121105145646archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/novembre/17/Dal_Pdl_Fli_andata_ritorno_co_8_101117015.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20121105145646archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/novembre/17/Dal_Pdl_Fli_andata_ritorno_co_8_101117015.shtml, 5 November 2012, WEB,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/dicembre/15/Sfida_Aula_governo_passa_per_co_9_101215011.shtml, Sfida in Aula, il governo passa per tre voti, Corriere della Sera, 24 December 2009, 17 November 2011,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/dicembre/15/Sfida_Aula_governo_passa_per_co_9_101215011.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20121105145515archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/dicembre/15/Sfida_Aula_governo_passa_per_co_9_101215011.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20121105145515archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/dicembre/15/Sfida_Aula_governo_passa_per_co_9_101215011.shtml, 5 November 2012, File:International Conference in Support of the New Libya 26.jpg|thumb|Berlusconi with French president Nicolas Sarkozy Nicolas SarkozyIn May 2011, PdL suffered a big blow in local elections. Particularly painful was the loss of Milan, Berlusconi’s hometown and party stronghold.NEWS,www.economist.com/blogs/newsbook/2011/05/italys_municipal_elections, Italy’s municipal elections: Not-so-sweet home, The Economist, 31 May 2011, 17 November 2011,web.archive.org/web/20121023170225/https://www.economist.com/blogs/newsbook/2011/05/italys_municipal_elections, 23 October 2012, In response to this and to conflicts within party ranks, Angelino Alfano, the Justice minister, was chosen as national secretary in charge of reorganising and renewing the party.WEB,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2011/giugno/02/Pdl_all_unanimita_Alfano_sara_co_8_110602021.shtml, Il Pdl all’ unanimitÃ : “Alfano sarÃ segretario”, Corriere della Sera, 24 December 2009, 17 November 2011,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2011/giugno/02/Pdl_all_unanimita_Alfano_sara_co_8_110602021.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20121105145730archiviostorico.corriere.it/2011/giugno/02/Pdl_all_unanimita_Alfano_sara_co_8_110602021.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20121105145730archiviostorico.corriere.it/2011/giugno/02/Pdl_all_unanimita_Alfano_sara_co_8_110602021.shtml, 5 November 2012, The appointment of 40-year-old Alfano, a former Christian Democrat and later leader of Forza Italia in Sicily, was unanimously decided by the party executive. On 1 July, the National Council modified the party’s constitution and Alfano was elected secretary almost unanimously. In his acceptance speech, Alfano proposed the introduction of primaries.WEB,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2011/luglio/02/Svolta_nel_Pdl_Alfano_segretario_co_9_110702007.shtml, Svolta nel Pdl, Alfano segretario “Voglio un partito degli onesti”, Corriere della Sera, 24 December 2009, 17 November 2011,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2011/luglio/02/Svolta_nel_Pdl_Alfano_segretario_co_9_110702007.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20121105145621archiviostorico.corriere.it/2011/luglio/02/Svolta_nel_Pdl_Alfano_segretario_co_9_110702007.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20121105145621archiviostorico.corriere.it/2011/luglio/02/Svolta_nel_Pdl_Alfano_segretario_co_9_110702007.shtml, 5 November 2012,

Resignation

On 10 October 2011, the Chamber of Deputies rejected the law on the budget of the state proposed by the government.WEB,www.corriere.it/politica/11_ottobre_11/governo-camera-rendiconto-berlusconi_aa9115e4-f41b-11e0-8382-87e70525ad6b.shtml, Redazione Online. “Governo battuto, la mossa del premier “ChiederÃ² io la fiducia alla Camera“”, Corriere della Sera, 24 December 2009, 20 November 2011,www.corriere.it/politica/11_ottobre_11/governo-camera-rendiconto-berlusconi_aa9115e4-f41b-11e0-8382-87e70525ad6b.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20140221162910www.corriere.it/politica/11_ottobre_11/governo-camera-rendiconto-berlusconi_aa9115e4-f41b-11e0-8382-87e70525ad6b.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20140221162910www.corriere.it/politica/11_ottobre_11/governo-camera-rendiconto-berlusconi_aa9115e4-f41b-11e0-8382-87e70525ad6b.shtml, 21 February 2014, As a result of this event, Berlusconi moved for a confidence vote in the Chamber on 14 October, he won the vote with just 316 votes to 310, minimum required to retain a majority.WEB,www.camera.it/412?idSeduta=535&resoconto=stenografico&indice=alfabetico&tit=00020&fase=00020#sed0535.stenografico.tit00020.sub00020, Resoconto stenografico dell’Assemblea Seduta n. 535 di venerdÃ¬ 14 ottobre 2011. Votazione della questione di fiducia, Camera.it, 20 November 2011, {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} An increasing number of Deputies continued to cross the floor and join the opposition and on 8 November the Chamber approved the law on the budget of the State previously rejected but with only 308 votes, while opposition parties did not participate in the vote to highlight that Berlusconi lost his majority.WEB, Di Matteo Tonelli,www.repubblica.it/politica/2011/11/08/news/giornata_governo-24672057/, Governo, la maggioranza non c’Ã¨ piÃ¹ Berlusconi si arrende: “Mi dimetto”, la Repubblica, 8 November 2011, 20 November 2011,www.repubblica.it/politica/2011/11/08/news/giornata_governo-24672057/," title="web.archive.org/web/20131210111547www.repubblica.it/politica/2011/11/08/news/giornata_governo-24672057/,">web.archive.org/web/20131210111547www.repubblica.it/politica/2011/11/08/news/giornata_governo-24672057/, 10 December 2013, After the vote, Berlusconi announced his resignation after Parliament passed economic reforms. Among other things, his perceived failure to tackle Italy’s debt crisis with an estimated debt sum of â‚¬1.9 trillion ($2.6 trillion) had urged Berlusconi to leave office. The popularity of this decision was reflected in the fact that while he was resigning crowds sang the Hallelujah Chorus of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah”, complete with some vocal accompaniment; there was also dancing in the streets outside the Quirinal Palace, the official residence of the President of Italy, where Berlusconi went to tender his resignation.NEWS, Nir, Sarah Maslin, 12 November 2011, Italians Rejoice in the Streets After Berlusconi Resigns, The New York Times,thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/12/italians-rejoice-in-the-streets-after-berlusconi-resigns/, 13 November 2011,thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/12/italians-rejoice-in-the-streets-after-berlusconi-resigns/," title="web.archive.org/web/20111114063113thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/12/italians-rejoice-in-the-streets-after-berlusconi-resigns/,">web.archive.org/web/20111114063113thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/12/italians-rejoice-in-the-streets-after-berlusconi-resigns/, 14 November 2011, File:Berlusconi adieu - tutti in attesa sotto il Quirinale il 12-11-2011 1220366.JPG|thumb|Crowd in front of Quirinal Palace Quirinal PalaceAusterity measures were passed, raising â‚¬59.8 billion from spending cuts and tax raises, including freezing public-sector salaries until 2014 and gradually increasing the retirement age for women in the private sector from 60 in 2014 to 65 in 2026.NEWS, Italy crisis: Silvio Berlusconi resigns as PM, BBC, 12 November 2011, 13 November 2011,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15708729,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15708729," title="web.archive.org/web/20131128202636www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15708729,">web.archive.org/web/20131128202636www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15708729, 28 November 2013, The resignation also came at a difficult time for Berlusconi, as he was involved in numerous trials for corruption, fraud and sex offences. He was often found guilty in lower courts but used loopholes in Italy’s legal system to evade incarceration.Berlusconi had also failed to meet some of his pre-election promises and had failed to prevent economic decline and introduce serious reforms. Many believed that the problems and doubts over Berlusconi’s leadership and his coalition were one of the factors that contributed to market anxieties over an imminent Italian financial disaster, which could have a potentially catastrophic effect on the 17-nation eurozone and the world economy. Many critics of Berlusconi accused him of using his power primarily to protect his own business ventures. Umberto Bossi, leader of Lega Nord, a partner in Berlusconi’s right-wing coalition, was quoted as informing reporters outside parliament, “We asked the prime minister to step aside.“Hooper, John; Squires, Nick (10 November 2011). NEWS,www.theage.com.au/world/the-partys-over-20111109-1n7e9.html, The party’s over, Melbourne, The Age,www.theage.com.au/world/the-partys-over-20111109-1n7e9.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131023012316www.theage.com.au/world/the-partys-over-20111109-1n7e9.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131023012316www.theage.com.au/world/the-partys-over-20111109-1n7e9.html, 23 October 2013, . The Age. Retrieved 25 November 2011.On 12 November 2011, after a final meeting with his cabinet, Berlusconi met President Giorgio Napolitano at the Palazzo del Quirinale to tend his resignation. As he arrived at the presidential residence, a hostile crowd gathered with banners insulting Berlusconi and throwing coins at the car. After his resignation, the booing and jeering continued as he left in his convoy, with the public shouting words such as “buffoon”, “dictator” and “mafioso”.WEB,www.repubblica.it/politica/2011/11/12/dirette/crisi_12_Novembere-24884019/, Berlusconi ha rassegnato le dimissioni la folla urla “buffone” e lancia monetine Pdl, sÃ¬ a Monti. Letta: faccio passo indietro â€“ Diretta aggiornata alle 02:33 del 13 Novembere 2011 â€“ Repubblica.it, La Repubblica, {{dead link|date=August 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Following Berlusconi’s resignation, Mario Monti formed a new government that would remain in office until the next scheduled elections in 2013.NEWS, Incarico a Monti: “Occorre crescita ed equitÃ ”,www.repubblica.it/politica/2011/11/13/news/monti_napolitano_dopo_incarico-24963634/?ref=HREA-1, 12 November 2011, La Repubblica, 12 November 2011,www.repubblica.it/politica/2011/11/13/news/monti_napolitano_dopo_incarico-24963634/?ref=HREA-1," title="web.archive.org/web/20131227065600www.repubblica.it/politica/2011/11/13/news/monti_napolitano_dopo_incarico-24963634/?ref=HREA-1,">web.archive.org/web/20131227065600www.repubblica.it/politica/2011/11/13/news/monti_napolitano_dopo_incarico-24963634/?ref=HREA-1, 27 December 2013, NEWS,www.nytimes.com/2011/11/17/world/europe/monti-forms-new-italian-government.html, Facing Crisis, Technocrats Take Charge in Italy, 16 November 2011, The New York Times, 16 November 2011, Rachel, Donadio, Elisabetta, Povoledo,www.nytimes.com/2011/11/17/world/europe/monti-forms-new-italian-government.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20120131040850www.nytimes.com/2011/11/17/world/europe/monti-forms-new-italian-government.html,">web.archive.org/web/20120131040850www.nytimes.com/2011/11/17/world/europe/monti-forms-new-italian-government.html, 31 January 2012, In the following years Berlusconi often expressed his point of view regarding his resignation in 2011. He accused Angela Merkel, Nicolas Sarkozy, Christine Lagarde and Giorgio Napolitano, along with other global economic and financial powers, to have plotted against him and forced him to resign, because he refused to accept a loan from the International Monetary Fund, which according to him, would have sold the country to the IMF.WEB,www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2016/05/07/trani-indaga-su-deutsche-bank-la-caduta-del-governo-berlusconi-fu-davvero-un-colpo-di-stato/2704885/, Blog {{pipe, Trani indaga su Deutsche Bank: la caduta del governo Berlusconi fu davvero ‘un colpo di Stato’?|date=7 May 2016|website=Il Fatto Quotidiano|access-date=15 August 2017|archive-date=16 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816020118www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2016/05/07/trani-indaga-su-deutsche-bank-la-caduta-del-governo-berlusconi-fu-davvero-un-colpo-di-stato/2704885/|url-status=live}}WEB,www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2014/05/14/berlusconi-gode-dagli-usa-la-teoria-del-complotto/985469/, Blog {{pipe, Berlusconi gode: dagli Usa la teoria del complotto|date=14 May 2014|website=Il Fatto Quotidiano|access-date=15 August 2017|archive-date=16 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816012740www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2014/05/14/berlusconi-gode-dagli-usa-la-teoria-del-complotto/985469/|url-status=live}}

2013 general election

File:EPP Summit March 2012 (49).jpg|thumb|Berlusconi at the 2012 EPP Summit]]In December 2012, Berlusconi announced on television that he would run again to become prime minister of Italy.Berlusconi: “Scendo in campo per vincereItaliani depressi da Monti. Voto il 10 marzo” â€“ Politica â€“ Tgcom24. Tgcom24.mediaset.it. Retrieved 4 August 2013. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013060857www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/politica/articoli/1072397/berlusconi-scendo-in-campo-per-vincereitaliani-depressi-da-monti-voto-il-10-marzo.shtml |date=13 October 2013 }} Berlusconi said his party’s platform would include opposition to Mario Monti’s economic performance, which he said put Italy into a “recessive spiral without end”.NEWS, Berlusconi: “Euro, grande imbrogliose inflazione aumenta, economia favorita”,www.repubblica.it/politica/2012/09/27/news/berlusconi_grande_imbroglio_euro_non_monti-43417139/, 13 June 2023, la Repubblica, 27 September 2012, it, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060434/https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2012/09/27/news/berlusconi_grande_imbroglio_euro_non_monti-43417139/, live, On 7 January 2013, Berlusconi announced he had made a coalition agreement (centre-right coalition) with Lega Nord (LN); as part of it, PdL would support Roberto Maroni’s bid for the presidency of Lombardy, and he would run as “leader of the coalition” but suggested he could accept a role as Minister of Economy under a cabinet headed by another People of Freedom (PdL) member, such as Angelino Alfano. Later that day, LN leader Maroni confirmed his party would not support Berlusconi being appointed as prime minister in the case of an electoral win.NEWS, 7 January 2013, Silvio Berlusconi ‘won’t stand for PM’,www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-20932312, 7 January 2024, BBC News, Berlusconi’s coalition gained 29.1% of votes and 125 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, 30.7% of votes and 117 seats in the Senate.NEWS, 26 February 2013, Italian media see instability following poll deadlock,www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-21587150, 7 January 2024, BBC News, In April 2013, Berlusconi’s PdL announced his support of the Letta government, together with the Democratic Party and the centrist Civic Choice, of former prime minister Mario Monti.

Refoundation of Forza Italia and public office ban

(File:Silvio Berlusconi May 2019.jpg|thumb|upright|Berlusconi at the 2019 EPP Summit)In June 2013, Berlusconi announced the refoundation of his first party Forza Italia (FI).WEB,www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2013-06-28/berlusconi-sostegno-convinto-leale-201248.shtml, Berlusconi: Forza Italia back and I will be driving it, it, Il Sole 24 Ore, 28 June 2013, 28 July 2013,www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2013-06-28/berlusconi-sostegno-convinto-leale-201248.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20131023062203www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2013-06-28/berlusconi-sostegno-convinto-leale-201248.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20131023062203www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2013-06-28/berlusconi-sostegno-convinto-leale-201248.shtml, 23 October 2013, WEB, 28 June 2013, Berlusconi annuncia ritorno di Forza Italia.“Temo che sarÃ² ancora il numero uno”,www.repubblica.it/politica/2013/06/28/news/berlusconi-62047776/, 7 January 2024, la Repubblica, it, On 18 September the new party was launched and officially founded on 16 November.NEWS,www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-berlusconi-idUSBRE9AE15M20131116, Reuters, Berlusconi breaks away from Italian government after party splits, 16 November 2013,web.archive.org/web/20131202232953/https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/16/us-italy-berlusconi-idUSBRE9AE15M20131116, 2 December 2013, After the foundation of Forza Italia, Berlusconi announced that his new party would oppose the grand coalition government of Enrico Letta; the new political position taken by Berlusconi caused dissent in the movement, and the governmental wing of Forza Italia led by Angelino Alfano split from FI and founded a Christian democratic party called New Centre-Right, which supported the Letta Cabinet.WEB,archivio.corriere.it/Archivio/interface/landing.html,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2013/novembre/16/rottura_tra_Berlusconi_Alfano_vicepremier_co_0_20131116_655ef574-4e8a-11e3-9c1a-7bb9640fad0f.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20131203023906archiviostorico.corriere.it/2013/novembre/16/rottura_tra_Berlusconi_Alfano_vicepremier_co_0_20131116_655ef574-4e8a-11e3-9c1a-7bb9640fad0f.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20131203023906archiviostorico.corriere.it/2013/novembre/16/rottura_tra_Berlusconi_Alfano_vicepremier_co_0_20131116_655ef574-4e8a-11e3-9c1a-7bb9640fad0f.shtml, dead, Archivio Corriere della Sera, 3 December 2013, Corriere della Sera, On 1 August 2013, Berlusconi was convicted of tax fraud by the court of final instance, the Supreme Court of Cassation, which confirmed his four-year prison sentence, of which three years are automatically pardoned, along with a public office ban for two years. As his age exceeded 70 years, he was exempted from direct imprisonment; he served his sentence by doing unpaid social community work. Because he was sentenced to a gross imprisonment of more than two years, a new Italian anti-corruption law (named after Paola Severino) resulted in the Senate expelling and barring him from serving in any legislative office for six years. Berlusconi pledged to stay leader of Forza Italia throughout his custodial sentence and public office ban. He was not able to freely campaign for his party.NEWS, Silvio Berlusconi ai servizi sociali: ecco cosa puÃ² e non puÃ² fare,www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2014/04/16/silvio-berlusconi-ai-servizi-sociali-ecco-cosa-puo-e-non-puo-fare/953636/, 16 June 2023, Il Fatto Quotidiano, 16 April 2014, it-IT, 16 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230616080338/https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2014/04/16/silvio-berlusconi-ai-servizi-sociali-ecco-cosa-puo-e-non-puo-fare/953636/, live, In March 2017, Berlusconi expressed his intention to run once again as centre-right candidate for the premiership, even if he was banned from public office until 2019;WEB,www.huffingtonpost.it/2017/03/18/silvio-berlusconi-ritorno-alle-elezioni-ci-saro_n_15452562.html, Silvio Berlusconi torna in campo: “Alle elezioni io ci sarÃ². Anche senza candidabilitÃ posso spostare milioni di voti”, 18 March 2017, L’Huffington Post, 16 March 2019, 13 July 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190713141918/https://www.huffingtonpost.it/2017/03/18/silvio-berlusconi-ritorno-alle-elezioni-ci-saro_n_15452562.html, live, WEB,www.linkiesta.it/it/article/2017/03/21/silvio-berlusconi-sogna-lennesimo-ritorno/33613/, Silvio Berlusconi sogna l’ennesimo ritorno, 21 March 2017, Linkiesta, 16 March 2019, 24 September 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180924121131/https://www.linkiesta.it/it/article/2017/03/21/silvio-berlusconi-sogna-lennesimo-ritorno/33613/, live, the 2018 Italian general election was his seventh one as the centre-right frontunner. The general election resulted in Lega per Salvini Premier winning more seats than FI, and no electoral coalition winning an outright majority.NEWS,www.repubblica.it/speciali/politica/elezioni2018/2018/03/04/news/risultati_elezioni_politiche_pd_centrodestra_m5s_fi_lega-190424815/?ref=RHPPTP-BL-I0-C12-P1-S1.12-T1, Elezioni politiche: vincono M5s e Lega. Crollo del Partito democratico. Centrodestra prima coalizione. Il Carroccio sorpassa Forza Italia, 4 March 2018, la Repubblica, 17 March 2018, it, 26 June 2019,www.repubblica.it/speciali/politica/elezioni2018/2018/03/04/news/risultati_elezioni_politiche_pd_centrodestra_m5s_fi_lega-190424815/?ref=RHPPTP-BL-I0-C12-P1-S1.12-T1," title="web.archive.org/web/20190626232603www.repubblica.it/speciali/politica/elezioni2018/2018/03/04/news/risultati_elezioni_politiche_pd_centrodestra_m5s_fi_lega-190424815/?ref=RHPPTP-BL-I0-C12-P1-S1.12-T1,">web.archive.org/web/20190626232603www.repubblica.it/speciali/politica/elezioni2018/2018/03/04/news/risultati_elezioni_politiche_pd_centrodestra_m5s_fi_lega-190424815/?ref=RHPPTP-BL-I0-C12-P1-S1.12-T1, live,

Political comeback and election to European Parliament and Senate

In January 2019, Berlusconi expressed his intention to run for candidacy in the 2019 European Parliament election in Italy.NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/17/silvio-berlusconi-intends-stand-european-parliament-billionaire-former-italian-prime-minister-tax-fraud, Silvio Berlusconi says he intends to stand for European parliament, Boffey, Daniel, 17 January 2019, The Guardian, London, 5 March 2019, 0261-3077, 6 March 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190306042736/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/17/silvio-berlusconi-intends-stand-european-parliament-billionaire-former-italian-prime-minister-tax-fraud, live, In the election, Forza Italia received only 8.8% of votes, the worst result in its history. Berlusconi was elected to the Parliament, becoming the oldest member of the assembly.WEB,www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/27/nba-star-a-tv-chef-and-a-sad-comic-meet-some-of-europes-new-meps-europe-eu-elections, An NBA star, a TV chef and a comedian: meet some of the new MEPs, Philip, Oltermann, Shaun, Walker, Angela, Giuffrida, 27 May 2019, The Guardian, 28 May 2019, 1 September 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190901202927/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/27/nba-star-a-tv-chef-and-a-sad-comic-meet-some-of-europes-new-meps-europe-eu-elections, live, He was a potential nominee in the 2022 Italian presidential election, which was ultimately won by Sergio Mattarella.WEB, Giuffrida, Angela, Sergio Mattarella reelected Italy’s president amid deep divisions,www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/29/for-the-stability-of-italy-sergio-mattarella-could-be-reelected-president, The Guardian, 29 January 2022, 29 January 2022, 29 January 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220129151205/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/29/for-the-stability-of-italy-sergio-mattarella-could-be-reelected-president, live, WEB, 9 December 2021, He’s back: Silvio Berlusconi launches bid for Italian presidency,www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/berlusconi-launches-bid-italian-presidency-b1972900.html, 22 December 2021, The Independent, 22 December 2021,web.archive.org/web/20211222003433/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/berlusconi-launches-bid-italian-presidency-b1972900.html, live, From 2019 to 2022, Berlusconi had the lowest attendance rate among MEPs with 59%, largely because of months of dealing with symptoms after catching COVID-19 in September 2020.NEWS, Cerulus, Laurens, Cornelius, Hirsch, 9 January 2022, The good, bad and ugly of the European Parliament, Politico Europe,www.politico.eu/article/european-parliament-report-card-2022-good-bad-ugly/, 23 March 2022, 24 March 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220324040320/https://www.politico.eu/article/european-parliament-report-card-2022-good-bad-ugly/, live, Berlusconi ran in the 2022 Italian election as the leader of Forza Italia, being elected to the Senate for the single-member constituency of Monza, returning to the Italian parliament after ten years.WEB, 26 September 2022, Berlusconi eletto a Monza, vince con oltre il 50% e torna al Senato. Ronzulli: “Il leone ha ruggito ancora”,milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2022/09/26/news/berlusconi_eletto_a_monza-367253679/, 7 January 2024, la Repubblica, it,

Foreign policy

File:George W. Bush welcomes Silvio Berlusconi.jpg|thumb|Berlusconi with US president George W. Bush at the White House White HouseBerlusconi and his cabinets had a strong tendency to support American foreign policies,NEWS, Istituzioni, Europa, Enti Locali: “Il G8 deve fermare gli speculatori”,www.regione.sardegna.it/documenti/1_53_20080707093017.pdf, Corriere della Sera, it, 10, 7 July 2008,www.regione.sardegna.it/documenti/1_53_20080707093017.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20110928141542www.regione.sardegna.it/documenti/1_53_20080707093017.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20110928141542www.regione.sardegna.it/documenti/1_53_20080707093017.pdf, 28 September 2011, despite the policy divide between the US and many founding members of the European Union like Germany, France, and Belgium during the George W. Bush administration.NEWS, Esportare la democrazia anche cambiando leggi internazionali,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2003/dicembre/06/Esportare_democrazia_anche_cambiando_leggi_co_0_031206147.shtml, Corriere della Sera, it, 6, 6 December 2003, ...Berlusconi, l’ uomo che disse in passato di essere dalla parte degli Stati Uniti prima ancora di sapere da quale parte questi si schierano....,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2003/dicembre/06/Esportare_democrazia_anche_cambiando_leggi_co_0_031206147.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20131020060551archiviostorico.corriere.it/2003/dicembre/06/Esportare_democrazia_anche_cambiando_leggi_co_0_031206147.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20131020060551archiviostorico.corriere.it/2003/dicembre/06/Esportare_democrazia_anche_cambiando_leggi_co_0_031206147.shtml, 20 October 2013, Under Berlusconi’s lead, the Italian Government also shifted its traditional position on foreign policy from being the most pro-Arab Western government,WEB,www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2011/1109/Italy-s-Berlusconi-agrees-to-resign.-Here-s-why, Italy’s Berlusconi agrees to resign. Here’s why., Momigliano, Anna, November 2011, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 September 2018, 5 March 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230305103459/https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2011/1109/Italy-s-Berlusconi-agrees-to-resign.-Here-s-why, live, towards a greater friendship with Israel and Turkey than in the past.WEB,sam.gov.tr/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/emiliano_alessandri.pdf, Italian-Turkish Relations: Potential and Limits of a ‘Strategic Partnership’, ALESSANDRI, Emiliano, sam.gov.tr/, 19 September 2018, 13 July 2020,sam.gov.tr/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/emiliano_alessandri.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20200713050219sam.gov.tr/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/emiliano_alessandri.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20200713050219sam.gov.tr/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/emiliano_alessandri.pdf, dead, WEB,ambtelaviv.esteri.it/resource/2007/03/13162_f_amb61NI24luglio2003.pdf, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi Warmly Received in Israel, July 2003, Ambasciata d’Italia Tel Aviv, 19 September 2018, 20 September 2018,ambtelaviv.esteri.it/resource/2007/03/13162_f_amb61NI24luglio2003.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20180920045923ambtelaviv.esteri.it/resource/2007/03/13162_f_amb61NI24luglio2003.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20180920045923ambtelaviv.esteri.it/resource/2007/03/13162_f_amb61NI24luglio2003.pdf, live, This resulted in a rebalancing of relations between all the Mediterranean countries, to reach equal closeness with them. Berlusconi was one of the strongest supporters of Turkey’s application to accede to the European Union.NEWS,www.asca.it/news-G8__BONAIUTI__ITALIA_SEMPRE_DISPONIBILE_PER_INGRESSO_TURCHIA_IN_EUROPA-845176-ORA-.html, Italia sempre disponibile per ingresso Turchia in Europa, it, ASCA (news agency), ASCA, 10 July 2009,www.asca.it/news-G8__BONAIUTI__ITALIA_SEMPRE_DISPONIBILE_PER_INGRESSO_TURCHIA_IN_EUROPA-845176-ORA-.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20121115111455www.asca.it/news-G8__BONAIUTI__ITALIA_SEMPRE_DISPONIBILE_PER_INGRESSO_TURCHIA_IN_EUROPA-845176-ORA-.html,">web.archive.org/web/20121115111455www.asca.it/news-G8__BONAIUTI__ITALIA_SEMPRE_DISPONIBILE_PER_INGRESSO_TURCHIA_IN_EUROPA-845176-ORA-.html, 15 November 2012, To support Turkey’s application Berlusconi invited Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan to take part in a meeting of the European leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, gathered in L’Aquila for the 2009 G8 summit.NEWS,rassegna.governo.it/testo.asp?d=38379982, Berlusconi invita Erdogan alla riunione degli Europei, it, Corriere della Sera, 10 July 2009, dead,rassegna.governo.it/testo.asp?d=38379982," title="web.archive.org/web/20110825162607rassegna.governo.it/testo.asp?d=38379982,">web.archive.org/web/20110825162607rassegna.governo.it/testo.asp?d=38379982, 25 August 2011, NEWS,www.sabah.com.tr/Dunya/2009/07/10/zirve_bahane_gosteris_sahane, Zirve bahane gÃ¶steriÅŸ ÅŸahane, tr, Sabah (newspaper), Sabah, 10 July 2009,www.sabah.com.tr/Dunya/2009/07/10/zirve_bahane_gosteris_sahane," title="web.archive.org/web/20131018005304www.sabah.com.tr/Dunya/2009/07/10/zirve_bahane_gosteris_sahane,">web.archive.org/web/20131018005304www.sabah.com.tr/Dunya/2009/07/10/zirve_bahane_gosteris_sahane, 18 October 2013, Berlusconi described Saudi Arabia as an important force for stability in the region.NEWS, Kingdom important force for stability in region: Berlusconi,www.arabnews.com/node/330261, Arab News, 22 November 2009, 14 June 2023, 15 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230615064011/https://www.arabnews.com/node/330261, live, Italy, with Berlusconi in office, became a solid ally of the United States due to his support for the war in Afghanistan and the Iraq War. On 30 January 2003, Berlusconi signed “The letter of the eight” supporting the US preparations for 2003 invasion of Iraq.NEWS, Full text of letter written by eight European leaders,www.irishtimes.com/news/full-text-of-letter-written-by-eight-european-leaders-1.459198, The Irish Times, 30 January 2003, 5 August 2019, 28 July 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200728162240/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/full-text-of-letter-written-by-eight-european-leaders-1.459198, live, Italy had some 3,200 troops deployed in Southern Iraq, the third largest contingent there after the American and British forces.BOOK, The Encyclopedia of Middle East Wars: The United States in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts [5 volumes]: The United States in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts, Tucker, Spencer C., ABC-CLIO, 2010, 9781851099481, 609, When Romano Prodi became Prime Minister, Italian troops were gradually withdrawn.In 2023, he warned of the danger posed to Europe and the Western world by China, saying that “China is the systemic competitor of the West in the 21st century. China is our real danger for the future.“NEWS, Berlusconi: “China is our real pitfall for the future”,www.agenzianova.com/en/news/Berlusconi-China-and-our-real-pitfall-for-the-future/, Agenzia Nova, 6 January 2023, 14 June 2023, 15 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230615065748/https://www.agenzianova.com/en/news/Berlusconi-China-and-our-real-pitfall-for-the-future/, live, NEWS, Berlusconi gives most ‘anti-China’ speech ever,www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/berlusconi-gives-most-anti-china-speech-ever/, Euractiv, 8 May 2023, 14 June 2023, 14 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230614103322/https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/berlusconi-gives-most-anti-china-speech-ever/, live,

Relations with Russia

{{further|2009 Russiaâ€“Ukraine gas dispute|Ukraineâ€“European Union relations}}File:Vladimir Putin, Silvio Berlusconi and Javier Solana.jpg|thumb|Berlusconi, Russian president Vladimir Putin and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana Javier SolanaFile:Dmitry Medvedev in Italy 23 July 2010-6.jpeg|thumb|Berlusconi with Russian president Dmitry Medvedev Dmitry MedvedevIn November 2007, Italy’s state-owned energy company Eni signed an agreement with Russian state-owned Gazprom to build the South Stream pipeline. Investigating Italian parliament members discovered that Central Energy Italian Gas Holding (CEIGH), a part of the Centrex Group, was to play a major role in the lucrative agreement. Bruno Mentasti-Granelli, a close friend of Berlusconi, owned 33 per cent of CEIGH. The Italian parliament blocked the contract and accused Berlusconi of having a personal interest in the Eni-Gazprom agreement.NEWS,www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=34194, Berlusconi, Centrex, Hexagon 1 and 2 and Gazprom, Jamestown, The Jamestown Foundation, 1 December 2008,www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=34194," title="web.archive.org/web/20131022104203www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=34194,">web.archive.org/web/20131022104203www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=34194, 22 October 2013, WEB,www.kommersant.com/page.asp?id=636565, The Putin and Pals Project,www.kommersant.com/page.asp?id=636565," title="web.archive.org/web/20131107045000www.kommersant.com/page.asp?id=636565,">web.archive.org/web/20131107045000www.kommersant.com/page.asp?id=636565, 7 November 2013, . Kommersant. 24 December 2005.Berlusconi was among the most vocal supporters of closer ties between Russia and the European Union. In an article published in Italian media on 26 May 2002, he said that the next step in Russia’s growing integration with the West should be EU membership.NEWS,www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_28-5-2002_pg4_1, EU membership next step for Russia after NATO, Daily Times (Pakistan), Daily Times, 28 May 2002,www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_28-5-2002_pg4_1," title="web.archive.org/web/20131020110005www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_28-5-2002_pg4_1,">web.archive.org/web/20131020110005www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_28-5-2002_pg4_1, 20 October 2013, Berlusconi had a warm relationship with Vladimir Putin.NEWS,www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,583212,00.html, The Silvio Show: Berlusconi’s Extended Honeymoon, Der Spiegel, 10 September 2008,www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0%2C1518%2C583212%2C00.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20110916025803www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0%2C1518%2C583212%2C00.html,">web.archive.org/web/20110916025803www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0%2C1518%2C583212%2C00.html, 16 September 2011, dead, Smoltczyk, Alexander, The two leaders often described their relationship as a close friendship, continuing to organise bilateral meetings even after Berlusconi’s resignation in November 2011.WEB,www.independent.co.uk/news/people/old-friends-putin-and-berlusconi-enjoy-reunion-in-milan-9802327.html, Putin pays late-night visit to ‘old friend’ Berlusconi, 17 October 2014, The Independent, 16 March 2019, 28 April 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190428144419/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/old-friends-putin-and-berlusconi-enjoy-reunion-in-milan-9802327.html, dead, In 2015, Berlusconi visited Crimea, which had been illegally annexed by the Russian Federation one year prior: after landing in Yalta, he met with Putin in Sevastopol.NEWS, 11 September 2015, Berlusconi Visits Russia-Annexed Crimea,www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-berlusconi-visits-crimea/27241187.html, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Because of this, he was declared persona non grata by the Ukrainian government for three years.WEB, 17 September 2015, Ucraina dichiara Berlusconi persona non grata per visita in Crimea,www.rainews.it/dl/rainews/articoli/Ucraina-Ue-Russia-Putin-Berlusconi-b4598cae-a385-4622-b30c-f2eb3ee9ac09.html, Rai News, italian, Berlusconi condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, saying he was deeply disappointed by the behaviour of Russian president Putin.NEWS, Friends no more: Berlusconi denounces Putin over Ukraine war,www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/berlusconi-putin-ukraine-war-russia-italy-b2055724.html, The Independent, 12 April 2022, 1 May 2022, 17 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230617080636/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/berlusconi-putin-ukraine-war-russia-italy-b2055724.html, live, On the eve of the 2022 Italian general election, he said that “the troops were supposed to enter, reach Kyiv in a week, replace the Zelensky government with decent people and a week later come back”.NEWS, 23 September 2022, Silvio Berlusconi: Ex-PM defends Russian war on eve of Italian election, BBC News,www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63005402, 25 September 2022, 15 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230615121904/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63005402, live, In September 2022, Berlusconi made another statement at a Forza Italia convention in Venetia defending Putin: the statement was described by Italian media as confused and containing several factual errors, such as stating that Putin had been pressured to invade Ukraine “by his colleagues in the Communist Party” and confusing Volodymyr Zelenskyy with Boris Yeltsin.WEB, Pietrobelli, Giuseppe, 2 September 2022, Per Berlusconi Putin ha fatto la guerra in Ucraina “per le pressioni del partito comunista”,www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2022/09/02/lultima-di-berlusconi-putin-ha-fatto-la-guerra-in-ucraina-per-le-pressioni-del-partito-comunista-e-scambia-zelensky-con-eltsin/6789119/, Il Fatto Quotidiano, it-IT, In October 2022, leaked audio recordings revealed Berlusconi expressing dismay at Italy’s military support for Ukraine, and blaming Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.WEB, Migliaccio, Alessandra, Italy’s Berlusconi blames Zelensky for ‘forcing Putin into endless war’, BusinessLIVE, 19 October 2022,www.businesslive.co.za/bloomberg/news/2022-10-19-italys-berlusconi-blames-zelensky-for-forcing-putin-into-endless-war/, 19 October 2022, 17 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230617080605/https://www.businesslive.co.za/bloomberg/news/2022-10-19-italys-berlusconi-blames-zelensky-for-forcing-putin-into-endless-war/, live, NEWS, 18 October 2022, Silvio Berlusconi says he exchanged gifts and ‘sweet letters’ with Vladimir Putin, Financial Times, London,www.ft.com/content/b245c109-7ea5-4daa-897d-c4cd891e36e7,ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/b245c109-7ea5-4daa-897d-c4cd891e36e7, 10 December 2022, subscription, live, 19 October 2022,

Relations with Israel

Under Berlusconi, Italy was an ally of Israel.NEWS, Glickman, Aviad, 1 February 2010, Netanyahu to Berlusconi: Israel lucky to have you as a friend,www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3842871,00.html, 7 January 2024, Ynetnews, Berlusconi was noted for his close and friendly relationship with Israeli prime minister Netanyahu.NEWS, Netanyahu Has Joined His Buddy Berlusconi in an Alliance of Rejects,www.haaretz.com/opinion/2011-06-14/ty-article/netanyahu-has-joined-his-buddy-berlusconi-in-an-alliance-of-rejects/0000017f-dbbc-db22-a17f-ffbdc26c0000, 7 January 2024, Haaretz, Netanyahu described Berlusconi as “one of the greatest friends”.WEB, 2 February 2010, Berlusconi says Israel should be an EU member,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/7133042/Berlusconi-says-Israel-should-be-an-EU-member.html, 7 January 2024, The Telegraph, Berlusconi believed that Israel should be made an EU member. Berlusconi strongly defended Israel in the Israeliâ€“Palestinian conflict, continuing his support for Israel after leaving office.NEWS,www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.617192, Berlusconi: West should support Israel, not Palestinians, Haaretz, 22 September 2014, 4 July 2015, 23 April 2015,www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.617192," title="web.archive.org/web/20150423225424www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.617192,">web.archive.org/web/20150423225424www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.617192, live, He defended Israel’s actions during the Gazaâ€“Israel conflict and called for “effective” sanctions against Iran.NEWS, Berlusconi reaffirms strong support for Israel,www.dw.com/en/berlusconi-reaffirms-strong-support-for-israel/a-5210820, Deutsche Welle, 3 February 2010, 14 June 2023, 14 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230614103024/https://www.dw.com/en/berlusconi-reaffirms-strong-support-for-israel/a-5210820, live, NEWS, Berlusconi: West Should Support Israel, Not Palestinians,www.haaretz.com/2014-09-22/ty-article/berlusconi-gives-a-pro-israel-lecture/0000017f-db41-d856-a37f-ffc1babb0000, Haaretz, 22 September 2014, 14 June 2023, 17 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230617081438/https://www.haaretz.com/2014-09-22/ty-article/berlusconi-gives-a-pro-israel-lecture/0000017f-db41-d856-a37f-ffc1babb0000, live, However, he said that the construction of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank was a “mistake” and “could be an obstacle to peace”.NEWS, Berlusconi: Israeli Settlements ‘Obstacle to Peace’,www.palestinechronicle.com/berlusconi-israeli-settlements-obstacle-to-peace/, The Palestine Chronicle, 1 February 2010, 14 June 2023, 14 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230614103024/https://www.palestinechronicle.com/berlusconi-israeli-settlements-obstacle-to-peace/, live, While Berlusconi was in office, Israel and Italy negotiated a $1 billion deal whereby Israel builds reconnaissance satellites for Italy, while Israel purchases the M-346 training plane for its air-force.Israel to buy Italy’s M-346 jet trainer for $1b {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215045214www.globes.co.il/en/article-1000725663 |date=15 February 2015 }} 16 February 2012, 16:45Yuval Azulai

Relations with Belarus

Berlusconi visited Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus in 2009. Berlusconi became the first Western leader to visit Lukashenko since Lukashenko came to power in 1994. At a press conference, Berlusconi paid compliments to Lukashenko and said “Good luck to you and your people, whom I know love you”.NEWS,www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/belarus-italy.1pq, Italy’s Berlusconi visit ends Belarus isolation, EUbusiness, 22 July 2011,www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/belarus-italy.1pq," title="web.archive.org/web/20120402042242www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/belarus-italy.1pq,">web.archive.org/web/20120402042242www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/belarus-italy.1pq, 2 April 2012, NEWS, Disputed Belarus Vote Shows ‘Love’ for Leader, Berlusconi Says, Bloomberg L.P., 30 November 2009,www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aeTaYgPv3vAE,www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aeTaYgPv3vAE," title="web.archive.org/web/20131105065522www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aeTaYgPv3vAE,">web.archive.org/web/20131105065522www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aeTaYgPv3vAE, 5 November 2013,

Cooperation with the Western Balkans

(File:Berlusconi foreign trips.png|thumb|Map of international trips made by Berlusconi as Prime Minister)On 5 April 2009, at the EU-US summit in Prague Berlusconi proposed an eight-point road map to accelerate the Euro-Atlantic integration of the western Balkans. During that summit the Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini urged his European colleagues to send “visible and concrete” signs to the countries concerned (Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia, Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia, and Albania).NEWS,www.ilgiornale.it/esteri/frattini_piano_otto_punti_balcani/05-04-2009/articolo-id=341698-page=0-comments=1, Frattini: piano in otto punti per i Balcani, it, il Giornale, 5 April 2009,www.ilgiornale.it/esteri/frattini_piano_otto_punti_balcani/05-04-2009/articolo-id%3D341698-page%3D0-comments%3D1," title="web.archive.org/web/20120224203945www.ilgiornale.it/esteri/frattini_piano_otto_punti_balcani/05-04-2009/articolo-id%3D341698-page%3D0-comments%3D1,">web.archive.org/web/20120224203945www.ilgiornale.it/esteri/frattini_piano_otto_punti_balcani/05-04-2009/articolo-id%3D341698-page%3D0-comments%3D1, 24 February 2012, dead,

Relations with Libya

On 30 August 2008, the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and Berlusconi signed a historic cooperation treaty in Benghazi.WEB,www.senato.it/parlam/leggi/09007l.htm, Ratifica ed esecuzione del Trattato di amicizia, partenariato e cooperazione tra la Repubblica italiana e la Grande Giamahiria araba libica popolare socialista, fatto a Bengasi il 30 agosto 2008, it, Italian Parliament press release, 6 February 2009, 10 June 2009,www.senato.it/parlam/leggi/09007l.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20090618082911www.senato.it/parlam/leggi/09007l.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20090618082911www.senato.it/parlam/leggi/09007l.htm, 18 June 2009, NEWS,www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2009-06-09_109379246.html, Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata, ANSA, Gaddafi to Rome for historic visit, 10 June 2009, 10 June 2009, dead,www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2009-06-09_109379246.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20090616155752www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2009-06-09_109379246.html,">web.archive.org/web/20090616155752www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2009-06-09_109379246.html, 16 June 2009, NEWS,www.tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=2335, Berlusconi in Benghazi, Unwelcome by Son of Omar Al-Mukhtar, The Tripoli Post, 30 August 2008, 10 June 2009,www.tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=2335," title="web.archive.org/web/20131202225659www.tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=2335,">web.archive.org/web/20131202225659www.tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=2335, 2 December 2013, Under its terms, Italy would pay $5 billion to Libya as compensation for its former military occupation. In exchange, Libya would take measures to combat illegal immigration coming from its shores and boost investment in Italian companies.NEWS, La Repubblica,www.repubblica.it/2008/05/sezioni/esteri/libia-italia/accordo-firmato/accordo-firmato.html, Italia-Libia, firmato l’accordo, it, 30 August 2008, 10 June 2009,www.repubblica.it/2008/05/sezioni/esteri/libia-italia/accordo-firmato/accordo-firmato.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131203000538www.repubblica.it/2008/05/sezioni/esteri/libia-italia/accordo-firmato/accordo-firmato.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131203000538www.repubblica.it/2008/05/sezioni/esteri/libia-italia/accordo-firmato/accordo-firmato.html, 3 December 2013, The treaty was ratified by the Italian government on 6 February 2009, and by Libya on 2 March, during a visit to Tripoli by Berlusconi.NEWS,www.alarabonline.org/english/display.asp?fname=2009%5C03%5C03-02%5Czbusinessz%5C988.htm&dismode=x&ts=02/03/2009%2004:42:49%20Ã£,www.alarabonline.org/english/display.asp?fname=2009%5C03%5C03-02%5Czbusinessz%5C988.htm&dismode=x&ts=02%2F03%2F2009%2004%3A42%3A49%20%C3%A3," title="web.archive.org/web/20090618080801www.alarabonline.org/english/display.asp?fname=2009%5C03%5C03-02%5Czbusinessz%5C988.htm&dismode=x&ts=02%2F03%2F2009%2004%3A42%3A49%20%C3%A3,">web.archive.org/web/20090618080801www.alarabonline.org/english/display.asp?fname=2009%5C03%5C03-02%5Czbusinessz%5C988.htm&dismode=x&ts=02%2F03%2F2009%2004%3A42%3A49%20%C3%A3, dead, 18 June 2009, Libya agrees pact with Italy to boost investment, 2 March 2009, 10 June 2009, Al-Arab, Berlusconi apologised for Italy’s actions during the Italian colonisation of Libya.NEWS, Italy apologises to Libya for colonial era damage,www.smh.com.au/world/italy-apologises-to-libya-for-colonial-era-damage-20080831-466b.html, The Sydney Morning Herald, 31 August 2008, 14 June 2023, 14 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230614103022/https://www.smh.com.au/world/italy-apologises-to-libya-for-colonial-era-damage-20080831-466b.html, live, In June Gaddafi made his first visit to Rome, where he met Berlusconi, President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano and Senate’s Speaker Renato Schifani.File:G8 summit in L’Aquila, family photo.jpg|thumb|Berlusconi (left) and Gaddafi (right) attending the G-8 Summit in L’Aquila L’AquilaWhen Gaddafi faced a civil war in 2011, Italy imposed a freeze on some Libyan assets linked to him and his family, pursuant to a United Nations-sponsored regimeNEWS,www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-08/italy-sanctions-on-qaddafi-stop-short-of-curtailing-libya-controlled-bank.html, Italian Sanctions Against Qaddafi Stop Short of Libyan-Owned Banca UBAE, Martinuzzi, Elisa, Totaro, Lorenzo, 8 March 2011, Bloomberg LP, 11 March 2011, 5 March 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230305103454/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-08/italy-sanctions-on-qaddafi-stop-short-of-curtailing-libya-controlled-bank.html, live, and then bombed the country with the violation of Libya of the No-Fly Zone. However, Berlusconi spoke out against NATO-led military intervention into Libya.Gaddafi was loved by his people {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622083455www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/print_news.php?nid=201981 |date=22 June 2012 }}. The Daily Star.net (11 September 2011). Retrieved 16 August 2013.I was against Libya intervention: Berlusconi â€“ Africa | IOL News {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701023736www.iol.co.za/news/africa/i-was-against-libya-intervention-berlusconi-1.1095328 |date=1 July 2012 }}. IOL.co.za (7 July 2011). Retrieved 16 August 2013.

Berlusconism

File:Silvio Berlusconi and George W. Bush, speaking at Crawford, Texas.jpg|thumb|Berlusconi with United States president George W. Bush George W. BushBerlusconismo (“Berlusconism“) is a term used in Italian media and political analysts to describe the political positions of Berlusconi. The term arose in the 1980s, with a strongly positive meaning, as a synonym for entrepreneurial optimism.Floriano De Angeli, “L’Europeo”, n. 49, 1993 According to the definition given by the online vocabulary of the Italian Encyclopedia Institute, Berlusconismo has a wide range of meanings, all having their origins in the figure of Berlusconi, and the political movement inspired by him: the “thought movement”, but also to “social phenomenon”, and the phenomenon “of custom”, which is bound to his entrepreneurial and political figure. The term is also used to refer to a certain laissez-faire vision supported by him, not in the economy and markets but in relation to politics.“berlusconismo” {{wt|it|sostantivo|s.}} {{wt|it|maschile|m.}}, {{wt|it|lemma}} del Vocabolario Treccani online, dal sito dell’Istituto dell’Enciclopedia italiana TreccaniAccording to Berlusconi’s political and entrepreneurial opponents, Berlusconismo is only a form of demagogy that is comparable to Italian fascism, in part because Berlusconi defended aspects of the regime of Benito Mussolini,NEWS,www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article3746319.ece, Profile: the irrepressible Silvio Berlusconi, The Times, London, 14 April 2008, 16 April 2008, Richard, Owen,www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article3746319.ece," title="web.archive.org/web/20110629120652www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article3746319.ece,">web.archive.org/web/20110629120652www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article3746319.ece, 29 June 2011, even though he criticised the Manifesto of Race, the Fascist Racial Laws, and the alliance with Nazi Germany.NEWS, 27 January 2013, Berlusconi defends Mussolini, draws outrage from political left, Reuters,www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-berlusconi-mussolini-idUSBRE90Q0B620130127, 14 August 2023, 29 December 2013,web.archive.org/web/20131229170117/https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/27/us-italy-berlusconi-mussolini-idUSBRE90Q0B620130127, live, WEB,972mag.com/strange-relationship-between-silvio-berlusconi-and-italian-jews/65487/,972mag.com/strange-relationship-between-silvio-berlusconi-and-italian-jews/65487/," title="web.archive.org/web/20140215080840972mag.com/strange-relationship-between-silvio-berlusconi-and-italian-jews/65487/,">web.archive.org/web/20140215080840972mag.com/strange-relationship-between-silvio-berlusconi-and-italian-jews/65487/, dead, The strange relationship between Silvio Berlusconi and Italian Jews, 6 February 2013, 15 February 2014, WEB,www.jta.org/2006/04/17/lifestyle/pro-israel-berlusconi-loses-in-italy,www.jta.org/2006/04/17/life-religion/features/pro-israel-berlusconi-loses-in-italy," title="web.archive.org/web/20140116223429www.jta.org/2006/04/17/life-religion/features/pro-israel-berlusconi-loses-in-italy,">web.archive.org/web/20140116223429www.jta.org/2006/04/17/life-religion/features/pro-israel-berlusconi-loses-in-italy, dead, Pro-Israel Berlusconi loses in Italy, 17 April 2006, 16 January 2014, In 2013, he returned to calling Mussolini a good leader whose biggest mistake was signing up to the Holocaust in Italy and the extermination of the Jews.WEB,www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/01/20131280123580592.html,www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/01/20131280123580592.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20140417115744www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/01/20131280123580592.html,">web.archive.org/web/20140417115744www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/01/20131280123580592.html, dead, Berlusconi defends ‘good’ Mussolini, 17 April 2014, Al Jazeera, Contrastingly, his supporters compare Berlusconismo to French Gaullism and Argentinian Peronism.WEB,www.claudioscajola.it/evento.asp?id=392, Il Berlusconismo Ã¨ come Gollismo: durerÃ a lungo, non Ã¨ passeggero, 2 October 2008, 25 January 2007,www.claudioscajola.it/evento.asp?id=392," title="web.archive.org/web/20140109222607www.claudioscajola.it/evento.asp?id=392,">web.archive.org/web/20140109222607www.claudioscajola.it/evento.asp?id=392, 9 January 2014,

Political positions

File:Biden, berlusconi and medvedev.jpeg|thumb|left|Berlusconi with United States vice-president Joe Biden and Russian president Dmitry Medvedev Dmitry MedvedevBerlusconi defined himself as moderate,Berlusconi: “Dialogo? Io sono il piÃ¹ moderato di tutti!”, Affaritaliani, 11 febbraio 2009 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109213318www.affaritaliani.it/politica/fini-Camera-riforme-appello110209.html |date=9 January 2014 }} liberal, and a supporter of free trade;BOOK,books.google.com/books?id=Ri6uez6FGVsC&pg=PA204, Putinism: The Slow Rise of a Radical Right Regime in Russia, 9781137282804, Herpen, Marcel Van, 21 January 2013, Palgrave Macmillan, he was often also described as a populist or a conservative.WEB,www.irpinianews.it/Politica/news/?news=133057,www.irpinianews.it/Politica/news/?news=133057," title="web.archive.org/web/20140328063512www.irpinianews.it/Politica/news/?news=133057,">web.archive.org/web/20140328063512www.irpinianews.it/Politica/news/?news=133057, dead, De Mita:“Berlusconi populista e antieuropeista come Grillo“” IRPINIANEWS.IT, 28 March 2014, WEB,www.falcodestro.it/blog/2011/03/06/per-fini-berlusconi-e-un-conservatore%E2%80%A6-intanto-viene-fischiato-alla-commemorazione-di-almirante/, dead, Per Fini, Berlusconi Ã¨ un conservatore... Intanto viene fischiato alla commemorazione di Almirante, falcodestro.it,www.falcodestro.it/blog/2011/03/06/per-fini-berlusconi-e-un-conservatore%E2%80%A6-intanto-viene-fischiato-alla-commemorazione-di-almirante/," title="web.archive.org/web/20140225023315www.falcodestro.it/blog/2011/03/06/per-fini-berlusconi-e-un-conservatore%E2%80%A6-intanto-viene-fischiato-alla-commemorazione-di-almirante/,">web.archive.org/web/20140225023315www.falcodestro.it/blog/2011/03/06/per-fini-berlusconi-e-un-conservatore%E2%80%A6-intanto-viene-fischiato-alla-commemorazione-di-almirante/, 25 February 2014, After his resignation in 2011, Berlusconi became increasingly Eurosceptic,WEB,www.ilfoglio.it/soloqui/10961, Quegli economisti euroscettici (proprio come Berlusconi), 31 October 2011, it, Il Foglio, 22 January 2014,www.ilfoglio.it/soloqui/10961," title="web.archive.org/web/20140514171348www.ilfoglio.it/soloqui/10961,">web.archive.org/web/20140514171348www.ilfoglio.it/soloqui/10961, 14 May 2014, and he was often critical of the German chancellor Angela Merkel.WEB,www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/2245081-can-berlusconi-make-eurosceptic-comeback, Can Berlusconi make a eurosceptic comeback?, 26 June 2012, la Repubblica/The Guardian, Presseurop, 22 January 2014,www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/2245081-can-berlusconi-make-eurosceptic-comeback," title="web.archive.org/web/20140204010744www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/2245081-can-berlusconi-make-eurosceptic-comeback,">web.archive.org/web/20140204010744www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/2245081-can-berlusconi-make-eurosceptic-comeback, 4 February 2014, WEB,www.cityam.com/article/berlusconi-turns-eurosceptic-bid-return-power, Berlusconi turns Eurosceptic in bid to return to power, 18 July 2012, City A.M., 22 January 2014,www.cityam.com/article/berlusconi-turns-eurosceptic-bid-return-power," title="web.archive.org/web/20140202231513www.cityam.com/article/berlusconi-turns-eurosceptic-bid-return-power,">web.archive.org/web/20140202231513www.cityam.com/article/berlusconi-turns-eurosceptic-bid-return-power, 2 February 2014, One of Berlusconi’s main leadership tactics was to use the party as an apparatus to reach power; it was defined as a light party because of a lack of a complex structure. This was decidedly comparable to the political tactics used by Charles De Gaulle in France. Another feature of great importance was the emphasis on a “liberal revolution”, summarised by the “Contract with the Italians” of 2001.Berlusconi’s proposed reforms were added to the pillars of his “Contract with the Italians”, principally on the form of the Italian Constitution and the state, including the passage from a parliamentary system to a presidential republic,WEB,www.internazionale.it/, Internazionale, Internazionale, 7 February 2014, 8 February 2014,www.internazionale.it/," title="web.archive.org/web/20140208043551www.internazionale.it/,">web.archive.org/web/20140208043551www.internazionale.it/, live, a higher election threshold, the abolition of the Italy’s Senate of the Republic, a halving in the number of members of the country’s Chamber of Deputies, the abolition of the provinces of Italy, and the reform of the judiciary, with separation of the careers between magistrates and magistrates’s liability insurance, from Berlusconi considered impartial. Berlusconi declared himself to be persecuted by judges, having undergone 34 trials,Tutti i processi a carico di Silvio Berlusconi â€“ LISTA â€“ Panorama {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508112519news.panorama.it/politica/in-giustizia/processi-berlusconi-lista |date=8 May 2014 }} accusing them of being manipulated by left-wingers and comparing himself to Enzo Tortora, who was a victim of a miscarriage of justice. In 2013, Berlusconi declared himself favourable to civil unions.NEWS,www.ilmessaggero.it/primopiano/politica/idem_presto_ddl_sui_matrimoni_gay_anche_berlusconi_favorevole/notizie/278333.shtml, Idem: “Presto ddl sui matrimoni gay, anche Berlusconi Ã¨ favorevole”, Il Messaggero, 10 May 2013, 28 November 2013,www.ilmessaggero.it/primopiano/politica/idem_presto_ddl_sui_matrimoni_gay_anche_berlusconi_favorevole/notizie/278333.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20131103151344www.ilmessaggero.it/primopiano/politica/idem_presto_ddl_sui_matrimoni_gay_anche_berlusconi_favorevole/notizie/278333.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20131103151344www.ilmessaggero.it/primopiano/politica/idem_presto_ddl_sui_matrimoni_gay_anche_berlusconi_favorevole/notizie/278333.shtml, 3 November 2013, NEWS,www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2013/01/07/berlusconi-apre-alle-coppie-gay-mentre-monti-tace-pdl-coerente/463101/, Berlusconi apre alle unioni gay (perchÃ© Monti tace). Pdl: “Coerente”, il Fatto Quotidiano, 7 January 2013, 28 November 2013,www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2013/01/07/berlusconi-apre-alle-coppie-gay-mentre-monti-tace-pdl-coerente/463101/," title="web.archive.org/web/20140324020312www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2013/01/07/berlusconi-apre-alle-coppie-gay-mentre-monti-tace-pdl-coerente/463101/,">web.archive.org/web/20140324020312www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2013/01/07/berlusconi-apre-alle-coppie-gay-mentre-monti-tace-pdl-coerente/463101/, 24 March 2014, NEWS,www.ilgiornale.it/news/interni/cav-apre-ai-matrimoni-gay-e-fa-scoppiare-acceso-dibattito-872127.html, Il Cav apre ai matrimoni gay e fa scoppiare un acceso dibattito, il Giornale, Sergio, Rame, 8 January 2013, 28 November 2013,www.ilgiornale.it/news/interni/cav-apre-ai-matrimoni-gay-e-fa-scoppiare-acceso-dibattito-872127.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131103233700www.ilgiornale.it/news/interni/cav-apre-ai-matrimoni-gay-e-fa-scoppiare-acceso-dibattito-872127.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131103233700www.ilgiornale.it/news/interni/cav-apre-ai-matrimoni-gay-e-fa-scoppiare-acceso-dibattito-872127.html, 3 November 2013, Berlusconi was criticised for having legitimised and institutionalised radical-right parties, such as Brothers of Italy (FdI) and Lega Nord/Lega, and the post-fascists in Italy.NEWS, Broder, David, 26 September 2022, Italy’s drift to the far right began long before the rise of Giorgia Meloni, The Guardian,www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/26/italy-far-right-before-giorgia-meloni-berlusconi-brothers-of-italy, 14 August 2023, 0261-3077, 14 August 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230814134803/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/26/italy-far-right-before-giorgia-meloni-berlusconi-brothers-of-italy, live, WEB, 17 June 2023, Italy bids farewell to Silvio Berlusconi, but remains in his shadow,www.rfi.fr/en/europe/20230617-italy-bids-farewell-to-silvio-berlusconi-but-remains-in-his-shadow, 14 August 2023, Radio France Internationale, 14 August 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230814163307/https://www.rfi.fr/en/europe/20230617-italy-bids-farewell-to-silvio-berlusconi-but-remains-in-his-shadow, live, He acknowledged this but said that, by legitimising them within the centre-right coalition, they would have become an extremist right that would not have won.WEB, Bianchi, Edoardo, 28 September 2019, Berlusconi: ‘Noi abbiamo fatto entrare Lega e fascisti al governo. Il sovranismo Ã¨ una bufala’,video.repubblica.it/politica/berlusconi-noi-abbiamo-fatto-entrare-lega-e-fascisti-al-governo-il-sovranismo-e-una-bufala/344656/345239, 14 August 2023, Repubblica TV, it, 14 August 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230814134001/https://video.repubblica.it/politica/berlusconi-noi-abbiamo-fatto-entrare-lega-e-fascisti-al-governo-il-sovranismo-e-una-bufala/344656/345239, live, For critics, including the historian David Broder,WEB, 12 June 2023, Berlusconi Dead,www.errc.org/news/berlusconi-dead, 14 August 2023, European Roma Rights Centre, 14 August 2023,www.errc.org/news/berlusconi-dead," title="web.archive.org/web/20230814134802www.errc.org/news/berlusconi-dead,">web.archive.org/web/20230814134802www.errc.org/news/berlusconi-dead, live, it was not FdI’s Giorgia Meloni and Lega’s Matteo Salvini but Berlusconi himself who legitimised them and campaigned for them.WEB, Nalbone, Daniele, Russo Spena, Giacomo, 14 October 2021, NÃ© Meloni, nÃ© Salvini: fu Berlusconi il vero sdoganatore dei post-fascisti,www.micromega.net/berlusconi-sdoganatore-dei-post-fascisti/, 14 August 2023, Micromega, it, 14 August 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230814133432/https://www.micromega.net/berlusconi-sdoganatore-dei-post-fascisti/, live, Berlusconi’s first cabinet in 1994 was the country’s first right-wing coalition since World War II,JOURNAL, Sznajder, Mario, 1995, Italy’s Right-Wing Government: Legitimacy and Criticism, International Affairs, 71, 1, 83â€“102, 10.2307/2624011, 0020-5850, 2624011, and included neo-fascists for the first time in Europe since 1945;NEWS, Cowell, Alan, 12 May 1994, Berlusconi and Cabinet With Neo-Fascists Take Office in Italy, 7, The New York Times,www.nytimes.com/1994/05/12/world/berlusconi-and-cabinet-with-neo-fascists-take-office-in-italy.html, 14 August 2023, 0362-4331, 14 August 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230814164319/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/12/world/berlusconi-and-cabinet-with-neo-fascists-take-office-in-italy.html, live, WEB, Ben-Ghiat, Ruth, 23 September 2022, The Return of Fascism in Italy,www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2022/09/giorgia-meloni-italy-election-fascism-mussolini/671515/, 14 August 2023, The Atlantic, 23 September 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220923111236/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2022/09/giorgia-meloni-italy-election-fascism-mussolini/671515/, live, the post-fascists merged with his party in 2009.NEWS, 22 March 2009, Italian post-fascists merge with Berlusconi’s party, Reuters,www.reuters.com/article/uk-italy-right-idUKTRE52L0VY20090322, 14 August 2023, 14 August 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230814164336/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-italy-right-idUKTRE52L0VY20090322, live, In his last years, Berlusconi’s party and leadership were eclipsed by Salvini’s Lega and Meloni’s FdI.WEB, 12 June 2023, Silvio Berlusconi, tarnished leader who transformed Italian politics, dies at 86,www.pbs.org/newshour/world/silvio-berlusconi-tarnished-leader-who-transformed-italian-politics-dies-at-86, 14 August 2023, PBS NewsHour, 14 August 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230814164321/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/silvio-berlusconi-tarnished-leader-who-transformed-italian-politics-dies-at-86, live,

Comparisons to other leaders

File:P062510PS-0443 (4753023841).jpg|thumb|Berlusconi standing between German chancellor Angela Merkel and United States president Barack Obama at the 36th G8 summit 36th G8 summitFile:Vladimir Putin and Silvio Berlusconi in Crimea (2015-09-11) 08.jpg|thumb|Berlusconi among the crowd during his trip in Crimea CrimeaA number of writers and political commentators considered Berlusconi’s political success a precedent for the 2016 United States presidential election of real estate tycoon Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States,NEWS,www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/09/21/donald-trump-is-americas-silvio-berlusconi/, Donald Trump is America’s Silvio Berlusconi, Jebreal, Rula, The Washington Post, 21 September 2015, 11 November 2016, 29 March 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230329222827/https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/09/21/donald-trump-is-americas-silvio-berlusconi/, live, NEWS,www.economist.com/news/europe/21709984-americans-could-look-italy-taste-things-come-what-donald-trump-and-silvio, What Donald Trump and Silvio Berlusconi have in common, The Economist, Berlusconi, David, 10 November 2016, 11 November 2016, 11 November 2016,www.economist.com/news/europe/21709984-americans-could-look-italy-taste-things-come-what-donald-trump-and-silvio," title="web.archive.org/web/20161111014351www.economist.com/news/europe/21709984-americans-could-look-italy-taste-things-come-what-donald-trump-and-silvio,">web.archive.org/web/20161111014351www.economist.com/news/europe/21709984-americans-could-look-italy-taste-things-come-what-donald-trump-and-silvio, live, NEWS,www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/oct/20/donald-trump-silvio-berlusconi-italy-prime-minister, We’ve seen Donald Trump before â€“ his name was Silvio Berlusconi, Foot, John, The Guardian, 20 October 2016, 11 November 2016, 17 May 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230517174536/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/oct/20/donald-trump-silvio-berlusconi-italy-prime-minister, live, with most citing Berlusconi’s panned prime ministerial tenure and therefore making the comparison in dismay. Roger Cohen of The New York Times wrote: “Widely ridiculed, endlessly written about, long unscathed by his evident misogyny and diverse legal travails, Berlusconi proved a Teflon politician ... Nobody who knows Berlusconi and has watched the rise and rise of Donald Trump can fail to be struck by the parallels.“NEWS,www.nytimes.com/2016/03/15/opinion/the-trump-berlusconi-syndrome.html, The Trump-Berlusconi Syndrome, Cohen, Roger, The New York Times, 14 March 2016, 11 November 2016, 12 December 2016,www.nytimes.com/2016/03/15/opinion/the-trump-berlusconi-syndrome.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20161212182123www.nytimes.com/2016/03/15/opinion/the-trump-berlusconi-syndrome.html,">web.archive.org/web/20161212182123www.nytimes.com/2016/03/15/opinion/the-trump-berlusconi-syndrome.html, live, In The Daily Beast, Barbie Latza Nadeau wrote: “If Americans are wondering just what a Trump presidency would look like, they only need to look at the traumatized remains of Italy after Berlusconi had his way.“NEWS,www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/02/28/were-donald-trump-and-silvio-berlusconi-separated-at-birth.html, Italy Elected Its Trumpâ€”and It Was a Fiasco, Nadeau, Barbie Latza, The Daily Beast, 28 February 2016, 11 November 2016, 5 May 2017,www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/02/28/were-donald-trump-and-silvio-berlusconi-separated-at-birth.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20170505093057www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/02/28/were-donald-trump-and-silvio-berlusconi-separated-at-birth.html,">web.archive.org/web/20170505093057www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/02/28/were-donald-trump-and-silvio-berlusconi-separated-at-birth.html, live, During the 2016 United States election, Politico described Berlusconi as the closest parallel to Trump in a historical world leader.NEWS,www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/04/donald-trump-2016-silvio-berlusconi-italy-213797, In Trump, Italians Recognize a Familiar Orange Face, Marchetti, Silvia, Politico, 7 April 2016, 20 August 2018, 8 October 2018,web.archive.org/web/20181008163024/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/04/donald-trump-2016-silvio-berlusconi-italy-213797, live, In a piece written for Slate and published in April 2017, Lorenzo Newman noted the similarities in the career trajectories between the two.WEB,www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2017/04/the_similarities_between_trump_and_berlusconi_are_much_deeper_than_you_think.html, Bunga Bunga, American Style, Newman, Lorenzo, 3 April 2017, Slate (magazine), Slate, 3 April 2017, 3 April 2017,www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2017/04/the_similarities_between_trump_and_berlusconi_are_much_deeper_than_you_think.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20170403212200www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2017/04/the_similarities_between_trump_and_berlusconi_are_much_deeper_than_you_think.html,">web.archive.org/web/20170403212200www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2017/04/the_similarities_between_trump_and_berlusconi_are_much_deeper_than_you_think.html, live, In 2015, Andrej BabiÅ¡, the then Finance Minister of the Czech Republic, was compared to Berlusconi due to his media ownership, business activities, political influence, and legal problems with a prison sentence hanging over him. Foreign Policy drew parallels between the two, labelling BabiÅ¡ with the nickname “Babisconi”.WEB,foreignpolicy.com/2015/04/10/now-the-czechs-have-an-oligarch-problem-too-andrej-babis/, Now the Czechs Have an Oligarch Problem, Too, Foreign Policy, 10 April 2015, 3 March 2018, 21 December 2021,web.archive.org/web/20211221000315/https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/04/10/now-the-czechs-have-an-oligarch-problem-too-andrej-babis/, live, British historian Perry Anderson wrote that, despite Berlusconi’s reputation as an {{wt|en|enfant terrible}} of the European right, his actual policy record places him “to the left of Bill Clinton, who built much of his career in America on policies â€“ delivering executions in Arkansas, scything welfare in Washington â€“ that would be unthinkable for any Prime Minister in Italy.“JOURNAL, Anderson, Perry, Septemberâ€“October 2002, Force and Consent, The New Left Review, 17,

Legal problems

{{excerpt|Trials and allegations involving Silvio Berlusconi|Allegations}}

Controversies

Berlusconi was involved in many controversies and over 20 court cases during his political career, including being sentenced to four years’ imprisonment and a five-year ban from public office by the Court of Appeals for â‚¬7M tax evasion (and â‚¬280M slush fund) on 8 May 2013, confirmed by the Court of Cassation on 1 August 2013.WEB, 1 August 2013, Sentenza Mediaset, Berlusconi condannato. Rinvio in Appello per ridefinire l’interdizione,www.repubblica.it/politica/2013/08/01/news/mediaset_cassazione_berlusconi_condannato_annullata_interdizione-64133345/, 7 January 2024, la Repubblica, it, Due to a general pardon, his imprisonment was reduced to one year, which due to his age could be served either as a house arrest or as community service.WEB, Silvio Berlusconi given community service for tax fraud, Davies, Lizzy, The Guardian, 15 April 2014, 14 June 2023,www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/15/silvio-berlusconi-community-service-sentence-tax-fraud, 3 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230603054421/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/15/silvio-berlusconi-community-service-sentence-tax-fraud, live, On 24 June 2013, Berlusconi was found guilty of paying an underage prostitute for sex, and of abusing his powers in an ensuing cover up. He was sentenced to seven years in jail, and banned from public office for life. He was acquitted from the sex charges by the Italy appeals court on Friday, 18 July 2014.WEB,www.reuters.com/article/uk-italy-berlusconi/italy-appeals-court-clears-berlusconi-in-sex-trial-idUKKBN0FN1A420140718, Italy appeals court clears Berlusconi in sex trial, Ilaria Polleschi, Silvia Aloisi, July 2014, Reuters, 19 September 2018, 20 September 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180920045712/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-italy-berlusconi/italy-appeals-court-clears-berlusconi-in-sex-trial-idUKKBN0FN1A420140718, live, WEB,www.ansa.it/english/news/2014/12/01/prosecutors-appeal-berlusconi-acquittal-in-ruby-case_e5b84c5f-142d-40ad-b0b9-5a52b5e5e879.html, Prosecutors appeal Berlusconi acquittal in Ruby case, Redazione ANSA, December 2014, AGENZIA ANSA, 19 September 2018, 20 September 2018,www.ansa.it/english/news/2014/12/01/prosecutors-appeal-berlusconi-acquittal-in-ruby-case_e5b84c5f-142d-40ad-b0b9-5a52b5e5e879.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20180920045903www.ansa.it/english/news/2014/12/01/prosecutors-appeal-berlusconi-acquittal-in-ruby-case_e5b84c5f-142d-40ad-b0b9-5a52b5e5e879.html,">web.archive.org/web/20180920045903www.ansa.it/english/news/2014/12/01/prosecutors-appeal-berlusconi-acquittal-in-ruby-case_e5b84c5f-142d-40ad-b0b9-5a52b5e5e879.html, live,

Economic conflicts of interest

Media control and conflict of interest

{{See also|Conflict of interest#Governmental Officials|Consolidation of media in Italy}}File:Mediaset production center, Cologno Monzese, metropolitan city of Milan, Italy.jpg|thumb|Headquarters of Mediaset, Berlusconi’s broadcasting company, in Cologno Monzese Cologno MonzeseBerlusconi’s extensive control over the media was widely criticised by some analysts,BOOK, Hine, David, David Hine, Silvio Berlusconi, i media e il conflitto di interesse, Il Mulino, 2002, 291â€“307, some press freedom organisations, and extensively by several Italian newspapers, national and private TV channels, by opposition leaders and in general members of opposition parties, who allege that Italy’s media has limited freedom of expression. However such coverage of the complaint in practice put under discussion the point of the complaint itself. The Freedom of the Press 2004 Global Survey, an annual study issued by the American organisation Freedom House, downgraded Italy’s ranking from ‘Free’ to ‘Partly Free’WEB,www.freedomhouse.org/media/pressrel/042804.htm,www.freedomhouse.org/media/pressrel/042804.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20040503211418www.freedomhouse.org/media/pressrel/042804.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20040503211418www.freedomhouse.org/media/pressrel/042804.htm, 3 May 2004, Global Press Freedom Deteriorates â€“ Proportion of Global Population With Access to Free Media Plunges to New Low Italy Drops to “Partly Free”, due to Berlusconi’s influence over RAI, a ranking which, in “Western Europe” was shared only with Turkey ({{As of|2005|lc=on}}). Reporters Without Borders states that in 2004, “The conflict of interests involving Prime Minister Berlusconi and his vast media empire was still not resolved and continued to threaten news diversity”.WEB,www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10148, Italy â€“ 2004 Annual report, Reporters Without Borders,www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10148," title="web.archive.org/web/20090302045453www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10148,">web.archive.org/web/20090302045453www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10148, 2 March 2009, In April 2004, the International Federation of Journalists joined the criticism, objecting to the passage of a law vetoed by Carlo Azeglio Ciampi in 2003, which critics believe was designed to protect Berlusconi’s reported 90% control of the Italian national media.WEB,www.ifj-europe.org/default.asp?index=2451&Language=EN,www.ifj-europe.org/default.asp?index=2451&Language=EN," title="web.archive.org/web/20040927133724www.ifj-europe.org/default.asp?index=2451&Language=EN,">web.archive.org/web/20040927133724www.ifj-europe.org/default.asp?index=2451&Language=EN, 27 September 2004, Journalists in New Protest as Berlusconi’s Grip on Italian Media Becomes A Stranglehold, Berlusconi’s influence over RAI became evident when in Sofia, Bulgaria he expressed his views on journalists Enzo Biagi and Michele Santoro,WEB,www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=3284, Media pluralism more threatened than ever, Reporters Without Borders, 6 August 2002,www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=3284," title="web.archive.org/web/20080222094910www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=3284,">web.archive.org/web/20080222094910www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=3284, 22 February 2008, and comedian Daniele Luttazzi. Berlusconi said that they “use television as a criminal means of communication”. They lost their jobs as a result.BOOK, Gomez, Peter, Travaglio, Marco, Marco Travaglio, Regime, RCS MediaGroup, 2004, Milan, 28â€“258, This statement was called by critics ”Editto Bulgaro”.WEB,www.ilpost.it/2022/04/18/editto-bulgaro/, Cosa fu l’“editto bulgaro” di Berlusconi, 18 April 2022, 14 June 2023, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060433/https://www.ilpost.it/2022/04/18/editto-bulgaro/, live, The TV broadcasting of a satirical programme called RAIot was censored in November 2003 after the comedian Sabina Guzzanti made outspoken criticism of the Berlusconi media empire.WEB,www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=8587, RAI suspends satirical programme after lawsuit by Berlusconi-owned company, Reporters Without Borders, 22 November 2003,www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=8587," title="web.archive.org/web/20071205152755www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=8587,">web.archive.org/web/20071205152755www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=8587, 5 December 2007, Mediaset, one of Berlusconi’s companies, sued RAI over Guzzanti’s program, demanding 20 million euros for “damages”;NEWS, Mediaset querela Guzzanti e chiede 20 milioni di euro â€“ la Repubblica.it,ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2003/11/26/mediaset-querela-guzzanti-chiede-20-milioni-di.html, 15 June 2023, Archivio â€“ la Repubblica.it, 26 November 2003, it, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060432/https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2003/11/26/mediaset-querela-guzzanti-chiede-20-milioni-di.html, live, in November 2003 the show was cancelled by the president of RAI, Lucia Annunziata.NEWS, Raiot mai piÃ¹ in onda, Annunziata all’attacco,www.iltempo.it/politica/2003/12/10/news/raiot-mai-piu-in-onda-annunziata-all-attacco-291167/, 15 June 2023, Il Tempo, 10 December 2003, it, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060431/https://www.iltempo.it/politica/2003/12/10/news/raiot-mai-piu-in-onda-annunziata-all-attacco-291167/, live, The details of the event were made into a Michael Moore-style documentary called Viva Zapatero!, which was produced by Guzzanti.NEWS, Viva Zapatero, debutta in tvil film-denuncia di Sabina Guzzanti,www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2011/10/13/viva-zapatero-debutta-in-tvil-film-denuncia-di-sabina-guzzanti/163336/, 15 June 2023, Il Fatto Quotidiano, 13 October 2011, it-IT, 20 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230620060432/https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2011/10/13/viva-zapatero-debutta-in-tvil-film-denuncia-di-sabina-guzzanti/163336/, live, Berlusconi owned via Mediaset 3 of 7 national TV channels: (Canale 5, Italia 1, and Rete 4). Mediaset stated that it uses the same criteria as the public (state-owned) television RAI in assigning a proper visibility to all the most important political parties and movements (the so-called ‘Par Condicio’) â€“ which has been since often disproved.WEB,ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2006/02/15/le-trappole-della-par-condicio.html,ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2006/02/15/le-trappole-della-par-condicio.html," title="archive.today/20120716051838ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2006/02/15/le-trappole-della-par-condicio.html,">archive.today/20120716051838ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2006/02/15/le-trappole-della-par-condicio.html, dead, 16 July 2012, Le trappole della par condicio, la Repubblica, it, 15 February 2006, WEB,ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2002/05/09/il-bavaglio-del-polo-alla-rai.html,ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2002/05/09/il-bavaglio-del-polo-alla-rai.html," title="archive.today/20120721134212ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2002/05/09/il-bavaglio-del-polo-alla-rai.html,">archive.today/20120721134212ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2002/05/09/il-bavaglio-del-polo-alla-rai.html, dead, 21 July 2012, Il Bavaglio Del Polo Alla Rai, la Repubblica, it, 9 May 2002, Enrico Mentana, the news anchor long seen as a guarantor of Canale 5’s independence, walked out in April 2008, saying that he no longer felt “at home in a group that seems like an electoral campaign committee”.NEWS,www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14560942, Muzzling the messengers, The Economist, 1 October 2008, 12 November 2009,www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14560942," title="web.archive.org/web/20091004235006www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14560942,">web.archive.org/web/20091004235006www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14560942, 4 October 2009, File:Rapporto freedom Press sintesi 1980-2008 Italia.png|thumb|Synthesis of Freedom House annual data related to Italy about the freedom of press freedom of pressOn 24 June 2009, Berlusconi during the Confindustria young members congress in Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy invited the advertisers to interrupt or boycott the advertising contracts with the magazines and newspapers published by , in particular and the newsmagazine L’espresso, calling the publishing group “shameless”,NEWS,www.reuters.com/article/rbssTechMediaTelecomNews/idUSLO59656320090624, L’Espresso calls in lawyers on Berlusconi remarks, Reuters, 24 June 2009, 25 June 2009,web.archive.org/web/20090907110959/https://www.reuters.com/article/rbssTechMediaTelecomNews/idUSLO59656320090624, 7 September 2009, claiming that it was fuelling the economic crisis by discussing it extensively and accusing it of making a “subversive attack” against him. The publishing group announced it would begin legal proceedings against Berlusconi, given the “criminal and civil relevance” of his remarks.WEB,www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2009-06-24_124359124.html, Espresso group to sue Berlusconi, Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata, ANSA, 24 June 2009,www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2009-06-24_124359124.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20090626195319www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2009-06-24_124359124.html,">web.archive.org/web/20090626195319www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2009-06-24_124359124.html, 26 June 2009, 25 June 2009, In October 2009, Reporters Without Borders secretary-general {{ill|Jean-FranÃ§ois Julliard|fr|Jean-FranÃ§ois Julliard (militant)}} declared that Berlusconi “is on the verge of being added to our list of Predators of Press Freedom”, which would be a first for a European leader. He also added that Italy will probably be ranked last in the European Union in the upcoming edition of the RWB press freedom index.WEB, Reporters Without Borders in Rome as Berlusconi gets closer to being declared a “Predator”,www.rsf.org/spip.php?page=article&id_article=34640, Reporters Without Borders, 3 October 2009,www.rsf.org/spip.php?page=article&id_article=34640," title="web.archive.org/web/20091008095227www.rsf.org/spip.php?page=article&id_article=34640,">web.archive.org/web/20091008095227www.rsf.org/spip.php?page=article&id_article=34640, 8 October 2009, The Economist“>

The Economist

One of Berlusconi’s strongest critics in the media outside Italy was the British weekly The Economist (nicknamed “The Ecommunist” by Berlusconi, despite the magazine’s association with market liberalism),WEB,jacobinmag.com/2020/07/italy-populist-right-berlusconi-salvini, The Rise of Italy’s Populist Right Is a Bleak Warning From the Recent Past, Broder, David, 17 July 2020, Jacobin (magazine), Jacobin, 18 July 2020, which in its issue of 26 April 2001 carried a title on its front cover, ‘Why Silvio Berlusconi is unfit to lead Italy’.BOOK, Ginsborg, Paul, Italy and Its Discontents, 2003, Penguin Books, London, 318, The war of words between Berlusconi and The Economist gained notoriety, with Berlusconi taking the publication to court in Rome and The Economist publishing letters against him.WEB,www.hebig.org/blogs/archives/main/001105.php,www.hebig.org/blogs/archives/main/001105.php," title="web.archive.org/web/20030817191337www.hebig.org/blogs/archives/main/001105.php,">web.archive.org/web/20030817191337www.hebig.org/blogs/archives/main/001105.php, 17 August 2003, An open letter to Silvio Berlusconi, The magazine claimed that the documentation contained in its article proved that Berlusconi was ‘unfit’ for officeNEWS,www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=593654, Fit to run Italy?, The Economist, 26 April 2001,www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=593654," title="web.archive.org/web/20100526212307www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=593654,">web.archive.org/web/20100526212307www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=593654, 26 May 2010, because of his numerous conflicts of interest. Via Fininvest, Berlusconi claimed the article contained “a series of old accusations” that was an “insult to truth and intelligence”.NEWS, Carroll, Rory, Berlusconi to sue Economist for ‘unfit’ tag,www.theguardian.com/media/2001/apr/28/internationalnews, 15 June 2023, The Guardian, 28 April 2001, According to The Economist{{’s}} findings, Berlusconi, while prime minister, retained in effective control of 90% of all national television broadcasting. This figure included stations he owned directly as well as those over which he had indirect control by dint of his position as prime minister and his ability to influence the choice of the management bodies of these stations. The Economist also claimed that Berlusconi was corrupt and self-serving. A key journalist for The Economist, David Lane, set out many of these charges in his book Berlusconi’s Shadow.BOOK, Lane, David, Berlusconi’s Shadow, 2005, Penguin Books, London, 978-0-14-101770-9, Lane points out that Berlusconi had not defended himself in court against the main charges, but had relied upon political and legal manipulations, most notably by changing the statute of limitation to prevent charges being completed in the first place. To publicly prove the truth of the documented accusations contained in their articles, the magazine publicly challenged Berlusconi to sue The Economist for libel. Berlusconi did so,NEWS,www.economist.com/media/pdf/20080905122118632.pdf, Document from the Milan court of justice, 2 March 2010, The Economist,www.economist.com/media/pdf/20080905122118632.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20131020005213www.economist.com/media/pdf/20080905122118632.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20131020005213www.economist.com/media/pdf/20080905122118632.pdf, 20 October 2013, losing versus The Economist, and being charged for all the trial costs on 5 September 2008, when the Court in Milan issued a judgment rejecting all Berlusconi’s claims and sentenced him to compensate for The Economist{{’}}s legal expenses.NEWS, Berlusconi loses libel suit against The Economist,www.reuters.com/article/industry-berlusconi-economist-dc-idINL57277320080905, 15 June 2023, Reuters, 5 September 2008, NEWS, Cassazione: Berlusconi perde causa contro l’Economist,www.ilsole24ore.com/art/cassazione-berlusconi-perde-causa-contro-l-economist-AESU7Af, 15 June 2023, Il Sole 24 ORE, 28 February 2017, it, In June 2011, The Economist published a strong article dealing with Berlusconi, titled “The man who screwed an entire country”.NEWS,www.economist.com/node/18805327, The man who screwed an entire country, 2 March 2010, The Economist,www.economist.com/node/18805327," title="web.archive.org/web/20110818204058www.economist.com/node/18805327,">web.archive.org/web/20110818204058www.economist.com/node/18805327, 18 August 2011,

Legislative changes

File:Genova-G8 2001-Incidenti a Corso Torino.jpg|thumb|The strong riots during the 27th G8 summit in Genoa, between Italian police and anti-globalization movement anti-globalization movementOn some occasions, laws passed by the Berlusconi administration have effectively delayed ongoing trials involving him. For example, the law reducing punishment for all cases of false accounting and the law on legitimate suspicion, which allowed defendants to request their cases to be moved to another court if they believe that the local judges are biased against them. Because of these legislative actions, political opponents accuse Berlusconi of passing these laws for the purpose of protecting himself from legal charges. La Repubblica, for example, sustained that Berlusconi passed 17 different laws which have advantaged himself.WEB,www.repubblica.it/2009/11/sezioni/politica/giustizia-18/inchiesta-davanzo/inchiesta-davanzo.html, Per Silvio Berlusconi 18 salvacondotti in 15 anni, it, la Repubblica, 23 November 2009, 2 March 2010,www.repubblica.it/2009/11/sezioni/politica/giustizia-18/inchiesta-davanzo/inchiesta-davanzo.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131110112032www.repubblica.it/2009/11/sezioni/politica/giustizia-18/inchiesta-davanzo/inchiesta-davanzo.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131110112032www.repubblica.it/2009/11/sezioni/politica/giustizia-18/inchiesta-davanzo/inchiesta-davanzo.html, 10 November 2013, Berlusconi and his allies, on the other hand, maintained that such laws were consistent with everyone’s right to a rapid and just trial, and with the principle of “presumption of innocence” (garantismo); furthermore, they claimed that Berlusconi was being subjected to a political “witch hunt”, orchestrated by certain (allegedly left-wing) judges.NEWS, Sme, attacco finale di Berlusconi â€“ la Repubblica.it,ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2003/01/21/sme-attacco-finale-di-berlusconi.html, 15 June 2023, Archivio â€“ la Repubblica.it, 21 January 2003, it, NEWS, Parisi (Pdl): su Berlusconi Ã¨ tornata la caccia alle streghe,www.firenzepost.it/2013/02/28/parisi-pdl-su-berlusconi-e-tornata-la-caccia-alle-streghe/, 15 June 2023, Firenze Post, 28 February 2013, it-IT, Berlusconi and his government quarrelled with the Italian judiciary often. His administration attempted to pass a judicial reform intended to limit the flexibility of judges and magistrates in their decision-making. Critics said it would instead limit the magistracy’s independence by de facto subjecting the judiciary to the executive’s control. The reform was met by almost unanimous dissent from the Italian judges, but was passed by the Italian parliament in December 2004. It was vetoed by the Italian President, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.NEWS, Ciampi rinvia alle Camere la riforma della giustizia,www.lagazzettadelmezzogiorno.it/news/home/26076/ciampi-rinvia-alle-camere-la-riforma-della-giustizia.html, 14 June 2023, La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno, 16 December 2004, it, NEWS, Presidente della Repubblica Ciampi blocca le “riforme” giudiziarie di Berlusconi,www.wsws.org/it/articles/2005/01/22/berl-j22.html, 14 June 2023, World Socialist Web Site, 21 January 2005, it, During the night hours between 5 and 6 March 2010, the Berlusconi-led Italian government passed a decree “interpreting” the electoral law to let the PDL candidate run for governor in Lazio after she had failed to properly register for the elections. The Italian Constitution states that electoral procedures can only be changed in Parliament, and must not be changed by governmental decree. Italy’s president, whose endorsement of the decree was required by law, said that the measure taken by the government may not violate the Constitution.WEB,www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/Italy_opposition_protest_for_second_day_over_decree.html?cid=8432170, Italy opposition protest for second day over decree, 7 March 2010, swissinfo,www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/Italy_opposition_protest_for_second_day_over_decree.html?cid=8432170," title="web.archive.org/web/20110511210247www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/Italy_opposition_protest_for_second_day_over_decree.html?cid=8432170,">web.archive.org/web/20110511210247www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/Italy_opposition_protest_for_second_day_over_decree.html?cid=8432170, 11 May 2011, WEB,www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/Italy_opposition_protests_at_ballot_decree.html?cid=8428120, Italy opposition protests at ballot decree, 6 March 2010, swissinfo,www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/Italy_opposition_protests_at_ballot_decree.html?cid=8428120," title="web.archive.org/web/20110511210254www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/Italy_opposition_protests_at_ballot_decree.html?cid=8428120,">web.archive.org/web/20110511210254www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/Italy_opposition_protests_at_ballot_decree.html?cid=8428120, 11 May 2011,

Accusations of links to the Mafia

, by Alexander Stille, Foreign Policy, 16 July 2010}}Berlusconi was never tried on charges relating to the Sicilian Mafia, although several Mafia turncoats have stated that Berlusconi had connections with the Sicilian criminal association. The claims arise mostly from the hiring of Vittorio Mangano, who was accused of being a mafioso, as a gardener and stable-man at Berlusconi’s Villa San Martino in Arcore, a small town near Milan. It was Berlusconi’s friend Marcello Dell’Utri who introduced Mangano to Berlusconi in 1973.NEWS,www.economist.com/world/displaystory.cfm?story_id=587107, An Italian Story, The Economist, 28 April 2001, , The Economist, 26 April 2001NEWS,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2638609.stm, Berlusconi accused of Mafia links, BBC News, 8 January 2003,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2638609.stm," title="web.archive.org/web/20140413150859news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2638609.stm,">web.archive.org/web/20140413150859news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2638609.stm, 13 April 2014, , BBC News, 8 January 2003 Berlusconi denied any ties to the Mafia. Marcello Dell’Utri even stated that the Mafia did not exist at all.NEWS, Dell’ Utri a Chiambretti: ” La mafia? E’ un modo di pensare e non e ‘ il mio ”,archiviostorico.corriere.it/1997/ottobre/02/Dell_Utri_Chiambretti_mafia_modo_co_0_9710022934.shtml, Corriere della Sera, 2 October 1997,archiviostorico.corriere.it/1997/ottobre/02/Dell_Utri_Chiambretti_mafia_modo_co_0_9710022934.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20151102035644archiviostorico.corriere.it/1997/ottobre/02/Dell_Utri_Chiambretti_mafia_modo_co_0_9710022934.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20151102035644archiviostorico.corriere.it/1997/ottobre/02/Dell_Utri_Chiambretti_mafia_modo_co_0_9710022934.shtml, 2 November 2015, In 2004, Dell’Utri, co-founder of , was sentenced to nine years by a Palermo court on charge of “external association to the Mafia”,WEB,www.repubblica.it/2004/l/sezioni/politica/dellutri/dellusentenza/dellusentenza.html, Accusa e difesa del senatore “M” Una vicenda lunga dieci anni, it, la Repubblica, 11 December 2004,www.repubblica.it/2004/l/sezioni/politica/dellutri/dellusentenza/dellusentenza.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131004232611www.repubblica.it/2004/l/sezioni/politica/dellutri/dellusentenza/dellusentenza.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131004232611www.repubblica.it/2004/l/sezioni/politica/dellutri/dellusentenza/dellusentenza.html, 4 October 2013, a sentence describing Dell’Utri as a mediator between the economic interests of Berlusconi and members of the criminal organisation. Berlusconi refused to comment on the sentence. In 2010, Palermo’s appeals court cut the sentence to seven years but fully confirmed Dell’Utri’s role as a link between Berlusconi and the Mafia until 1992.WEB,uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6AI5D120101119, Berlusconi ally was link between him and mafia boss {{pipe, Reuters |access-date=19 February 2011 |archive-date=11 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511190512uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6AI5D120101119 |url-status=dead }}In 1996, a Mafia informer, Salvatore Cancemi, declared that Berlusconi and Dell’Utri were in direct contact with Salvatore Riina, head of the Sicilian Mafia in the 1980s and 1990s. Cancemi disclosed that Fininvest, through Marcello Dell’Utri and mafioso Vittorio Mangano, had paid Cosa Nostra 200 million lire (between 100,000 and 200,000 of today’s euro) annually. The alleged contacts, according to Cancemi, were to lead to legislation favourable to Cosa Nostra, in particular reforming the harsh 41-bis prison regime. The underlying premise was that Cosa Nostra would support Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party in return for political favours.NEWS,www.theguardian.com/Archive/Article/0,4273,4183973,00.html, Berlusconi friend on trial for ‘aiding Mafia’, London, The Guardian, Philip, Willan, 10 May 2001,www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0%2C4273%2C4183973%2C00.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20071003022950www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0%2C4273%2C4183973%2C00.html,">web.archive.org/web/20071003022950www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0%2C4273%2C4183973%2C00.html, 3 October 2007, dead, , The Guardian, 10 May 2001 After a two-year investigation, magistrates closed the inquiry without charges. They did not find evidence to corroborate Cancemi’s allegations. Similarly, a two-year investigation, also launched on evidence from Cancemi, into Berlusconi’s alleged association with the Mafia was closed in 1996.File:Marcello Dell’Utri 1.jpg|thumb|upright|Marcello Dell’Utri Marcello Dell’UtriAccording to yet another Mafia turncoat, Antonino GiuffrÃ¨ â€“ arrested on 16 April 2002 â€“ the Mafia turned to Berlusconi’s party to look after the Mafia’s interests, after the decline in the early 1990s of the ruling Christian Democratic party, whose leaders in Sicily looked after the Mafia’s interests in Rome.NEWS, Mafia, il pentito: dopo la Dc,referenti Forza Italia e Dell’Utri,www.ilsecoloxix.it/italia/2009/10/08/news/mafia-il-pentito-dopo-la-dc-referenti-forza-italia-e-dell-utri-1.33208153, 15 June 2023, Il Secolo XIX, 8 October 2009, it, NEWS, Trattativa Stato-mafia, GiuffrÃ¨: “Garanzie da Dell’Utri, votammo Forza Italia”,www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2013/11/22/trattativa-stato-mafia-il-pentito-giuffre-dellutri-ci-diede-garanzie-e-noi-votammo-forza-italia/787211/, 15 June 2023, Il Fatto Quotidiano, 22 November 2013, it-IT, Dell’Utri was the go-between on a range of legislative efforts to ease pressure on mafiosi in exchange for electoral support, according to GiuffrÃ¨. “Dell’Utri was very close to Cosa Nostra and a very good contact point for Berlusconi,” he said.NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2003/jan/12/italy.philipwillan, Mafia supergrass fingers Berlusconi, London, The Guardian, Philip, Willan, 12 January 2003,www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/jan/12/italy.philipwillan," title="web.archive.org/web/20121017052906www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/jan/12/italy.philipwillan,">web.archive.org/web/20121017052906www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/jan/12/italy.philipwillan, 17 October 2012, , The Observer, 12 January 2003 GiuffrÃ¨ also said that Berlusconi himself used to be in touch with Stefano Bontade, a top Mafia boss, in the mid-1970s. Berlusconi’s lawyer dismissed GiuffrÃ¨’s testimony as “false” and an attempt to discredit Berlusconi and his party. GiuffrÃ¨ said that other Mafia representatives who were in contact with Berlusconi included the Palermo Mafia bosses Filippo Graviano and Giuseppe Graviano.WEB,www.repubblica.it/online/cronaca/giuffredue/verbale/verbale.html, GiuffrÃ©: il boss Graviano era il tramite con Berlusconi, it, la Repubblica, 3 December 2002,www.repubblica.it/online/cronaca/giuffredue/verbale/verbale.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131005014724www.repubblica.it/online/cronaca/giuffredue/verbale/verbale.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131005014724www.repubblica.it/online/cronaca/giuffredue/verbale/verbale.html, 5 October 2013, Dell’Utri’s lawyer, Enrico Trantino, dismissed GiuffrÃ¨’s allegations as an “anthology of hearsay”.NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2002/dec/05/italy.philipwillan, Berlusconi implicated in deal with godfathers, The Guardian, London, 5 December 2002, Philip, Willan, 30 March 2010,www.guardian.co.uk/world/2002/dec/05/italy.philipwillan," title="web.archive.org/web/20090827151630www.guardian.co.uk/world/2002/dec/05/italy.philipwillan,">web.archive.org/web/20090827151630www.guardian.co.uk/world/2002/dec/05/italy.philipwillan, 27 August 2009, In October 2009, Gaspare Spatuzza, a Mafioso turncoat, confirmed GiuffrÃ¨’s statements. Spatuzza testified that his boss Giuseppe Graviano had told him in 1994, that Berlusconi was bargaining with the Mafia, concerning a political-electoral agreement between Cosa Nostra and Berlusconi’s Forza Italia. Dell’Utri was the intermediary, according to Spatuzza. Dell’Utri has dismissed Spatuzza’s allegations as “nonsense”. Berlusconi’s lawyer and MP for the PdL, NiccolÃ² Ghedini said that “the statements given by Spatuzza about prime minister Berlusconi are baseless and can be in no way verified.“WEB,www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Politics/?id=3.0.3909367513, Lawyer rejects turncoat’s claims linking Berlusconi to mafia,www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Politics/?id=3.0.3909367513," title="web.archive.org/web/20140415054102www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Politics/?id=3.0.3909367513,">web.archive.org/web/20140415054102www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Politics/?id=3.0.3909367513, 15 April 2014, , Adnkronos International, 23 October 2009

Remarks on Western civilisation and Islam

File:Putin Erdogan Berlusconi 2.jpg|thumb|Berlusconi with Russian president Vladimir Putin and Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸanAfter the 11 September 2001 attacks in New York City, Berlusconi said: “We must be aware of the superiority of our civilisation, a system that has guaranteed well-being, respect for human rights and â€“ in contrast with Islamic countries â€“ respect for religious and political rights, a system that has as its value understanding of diversity and tolerance.“NEWS,www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/storm-over-berlusconi--inferior-muslims-remarks-670971.html, Storm over Berlusconi ‘inferior Muslims’ remarks, The Independent, UK, 27 September 2001, 30 March 2010, dead,www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/storm-over-berlusconi--inferior-muslims-remarks-670971.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20110911071230www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/storm-over-berlusconi--inferior-muslims-remarks-670971.html,">web.archive.org/web/20110911071230www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/storm-over-berlusconi--inferior-muslims-remarks-670971.html, 11 September 2011, WEB,www.wsws.org/articles/2001/sep2001/ital-s29.shtml, Racist vomit from Italy’s PM Berlusconi, World Socialist Web Site, WSWS, 29 September 2001,www.wsws.org/articles/2001/sep2001/ital-s29.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20120418030428www.wsws.org/articles/2001/sep2001/ital-s29.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20120418030428www.wsws.org/articles/2001/sep2001/ital-s29.shtml, 18 April 2012, This declaration caused an uproar, not only in the Arab and Muslim world, but also all around Europe, including Italy.NEWS,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1565664.stm, EU deplores ‘dangerous’ Islam jibe, BBC News, 27 September 2001,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1565664.stm," title="web.archive.org/web/20131004230100news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1565664.stm,">web.archive.org/web/20131004230100news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1565664.stm, 4 October 2013, Subsequently, Berlusconi told the press: “We are aware of the crucial role of moderate Arab countries... I am sorry that words that have been misunderstood have offended the sensitivity of my Arab and Muslim friends.“NEWS,www.nytimes.com/2001/09/29/world/berlusconi-stands-by-remarks-on-islam.html, Berlusconi Stands By Remarks on Islam, The New York Times, 29 September 2001, Melinda, Henneberger, 30 March 2010,www.nytimes.com/2001/09/29/world/berlusconi-stands-by-remarks-on-islam.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131005010702www.nytimes.com/2001/09/29/world/berlusconi-stands-by-remarks-on-islam.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131005010702www.nytimes.com/2001/09/29/world/berlusconi-stands-by-remarks-on-islam.html, 5 October 2013,

Right-to-die case

After the family of Eluana Englaro (who had been comatose for 17 years) succeeded in having her right to die recognised by the judges and getting doctors to start the process of allowing her to die in the way established by the court, Berlusconi issued a decree to stop the doctor from letting her die. Stating that, “This is murder. I would be failing to rescue her. I’m not a Pontius Pilate”. Berlusconi went on to defend his decision by claiming that she was “in the condition to have babies”, arguing that comatose women were still subject to menstruation.NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2009/feb/08/englaro-italy-vatican, The Guardian, Italy faces constitutional crisis over coma woman, 8 February 2008, London, UK, 30 March 2010, Michael, Day,www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/08/englaro-italy-vatican," title="web.archive.org/web/20110424042545www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/08/englaro-italy-vatican,">web.archive.org/web/20110424042545www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/08/englaro-italy-vatican, 24 April 2011,

Anti-immigration laws

File:36th G8 summit member cropped 36th G8 summit member 20100625 cropped.jpg|thumb|left|Berlusconi with other G8 G8During his long career as Prime Minister, Berlusconi had to deal with massive immigration from the coast of North Africa. To limit illegal immigration, the Berlusconi’s government promulgated the Bossi-Fini law in 2002.WEB,www.amnesty.it/pressroom/ra2006/italia.html?page=ra2006, dead,www.amnesty.it/pressroom/ra2006/italia.html?page=ra2006," title="web.archive.org/web/20070213051108www.amnesty.it/pressroom/ra2006/italia.html?page=ra2006,">web.archive.org/web/20070213051108www.amnesty.it/pressroom/ra2006/italia.html?page=ra2006, 13 February 2007, Italia, it, Amnesty International, The law provides the expulsion, issued by the Prefect of the Province where an illegal foreign immigrant is found, and is immediately performed with the assistance at the border of the police.NEWS, Cosa dice la legge Bossi-Fini,www.ilpost.it/2013/10/04/legge-bossi-fini/, 14 June 2023, Il Post, 4 October 2013, it-IT, NEWS, Cosa dice la Bossi-Fini?,www.internazionale.it/notizie/2013/10/10/cosa-dice-la-bossi-fini, 14 June 2023, Internazionale, 10 October 2013, it, The standard allows the repatriation to the country of origin on the high seas, on the basis of bilateral agreements between Italy and neighbouring countries. If the illegal immigrant ships dock on Italian soil, the identification of those entitled to political asylum and the supply of medical treatment and care is undertaken by the marine police force. The law had been criticised by the centre-left opposition and the European Parliament.WEB,www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2013/10/23/immigrazione-parlamento-ue-modificare-norme-che-infliggono-sanzioni-a-chi-aiuta/754022/,www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2013/10/23/immigrazione-parlamento-ue-modificare-norme-che-infliggono-sanzioni-a-chi-aiuta/754022/," title="web.archive.org/web/20131026020208www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2013/10/23/immigrazione-parlamento-ue-modificare-norme-che-infliggono-sanzioni-a-chi-aiuta/754022/,">web.archive.org/web/20131026020208www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2013/10/23/immigrazione-parlamento-ue-modificare-norme-che-infliggono-sanzioni-a-chi-aiuta/754022/, dead, Immigrazione, Parlamento Ue chiede la modifica della legge Bossi-Fini, 23 October 2013, 26 October 2013, Il Fatto Quotidiano,

Jokes, gestures, and blunders

File:Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Silvio Berlusconi 20080709.jpg|thumb|Berlusconi with Brazilian president Luiz InÃ¡cio Lula da Silva Luiz InÃ¡cio Lula da SilvaBerlusconi developed a reputation for making gaffes or insensitive remarks.NEWS, Editorial: Touched by Crassness,www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article6062638.ece, The Times, 4 October 2011, London, Mal, Siret, On 2 July 2003, Berlusconi suggested that German Social democratic MEP Martin Schulz, who had criticised his domestic policies, should play a Nazi concentration camp guard in a film.NEWS,news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3037386.stm, Berlusconi in EU ‘Nazi’ slur, BBC News, 2 July 2003, 1 November 2011,news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3037386.stm," title="web.archive.org/web/20090611004851news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3037386.stm,">web.archive.org/web/20090611004851news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3037386.stm, 11 June 2009, Berlusconi insisted that he was joking, but accused Schulz and others of being “bad-willing tourists of democracy”. This incident caused a brief cooling of Italy’s relationship with Germany.WEB,ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2003/07/03/berlusconi-lite-strasburgo.html,ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2003/07/03/berlusconi-lite-strasburgo.html," title="archive.today/20120716044712ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2003/07/03/berlusconi-lite-strasburgo.html,">archive.today/20120716044712ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2003/07/03/berlusconi-lite-strasburgo.html, dead, 16 July 2012, Berlusconi, lite a Strasburgo, la Repubblica, it, 3 July 2003, 30 May 2009, Addressing traders at the New York Stock Exchange in September 2003, Berlusconi listed a series of reasons to invest in Italy, the first of which was that “we have the most beautiful secretaries in the world”. This remark resulted in remonstration among female members of parliament, who took part in a one-day cross-party protest.NEWS,news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3137406.stm, Berlusconi vaunts Italy’s secretaries, BBC News, 24 September 2003, 2 September 2011,news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3137406.stm," title="web.archive.org/web/20080415214307news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3137406.stm,">web.archive.org/web/20080415214307news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3137406.stm, 15 April 2008, In 2003, during an interview with Nicholas Farrell, then editor of The Spectator, Berlusconi claimed that Mussolini “had been a benign dictator who did not murder opponents but sent them ‘on holiday{{’“}}. In 2013, he returned to calling Mussolini a good leader whose biggest mistake was signing up to exterminate the Jews.File:Bush and Berlusconi share toast (2008-10-13).jpg|thumb|left|Berlusconi with George W. Bush George W. BushBerlusconi had made disparaging remarks about Finnish cuisine during negotiations to decide on the location of the European Food Safety Authority in 2001. He caused further offence in 2005, when he claimed that during the negotiations he had had to “dust off his playboy charms” to persuade the Finnish president, Tarja Halonen, to concede that the EFSA should be based in Parma instead of Finland, and compared Finnish smoked reindeer unfavourably to culatello.NEWS,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4122596.stm, ‘Playboy’ Berlusconi irks Finland, BBC News, 23 June 2005,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4122596.stm," title="web.archive.org/web/20110717225805news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4122596.stm,">web.archive.org/web/20110717225805news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4122596.stm, 17 July 2011, One of Berlusconi’s ministers later ‘explained’ the comment by saying that “anyone who had seen a picture of Halonen must have been aware that he had been joking”. Halonen took the incident in good humour, retorting that Berlusconi had “overestimated his persuasion skills”.WEB,yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/09/halonen_and_berlusconi_meet_in_rome_1965672.html, Halonen and Berlusconi meet in Rome, 8 September 2010, YLE.fi, In March 2006, Berlusconi alleged that Chinese communists under Mao Zedong had “boiled [children] to fertilise the fields”.NEWS,seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2002896399_babies29.html, Chinese angered by Italian premier’s allegation that country boiled babies, Maria, Sanminiatelli, The Seattle Times, 29 March 2006, 24 June 2013,seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2002896399_babies29.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131005010136seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2002896399_babies29.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131005010136seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2002896399_babies29.html, 5 October 2013, His opponent Romano Prodi criticised Berlusconi for offending the Chinese people and called his comments ‘unthinkable’.NEWS,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4857226.stm, Berlusconi baby gaffe riles China, BBC News, 29 March 2006,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4857226.stm," title="web.archive.org/web/20140401193542news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4857226.stm,">web.archive.org/web/20140401193542news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4857226.stm, 1 April 2014, File:Flickr - europeanpeoplesparty - EPP Summit 11 December 2008 (25).jpg|thumb|Berlusconi salutes the crowd on the EPP summit in 2009]]In the run-up to the 2008 Italian general election, Berlusconi was accused of sexism for saying that female politicians from the right were “more beautiful” and that “the left has no taste, even when it comes to women”.NEWS,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7338415.stm, Berlusconi: Left has uglier women, BBC News, 9 April 2008,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7338415.stm," title="web.archive.org/web/20131008003855news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7338415.stm,">web.archive.org/web/20131008003855news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7338415.stm, 8 October 2013, In 2008 Berlusconi criticised the composition of the Council of Ministers of the Spanish Government as being too ‘pink’ by virtue of the fact that it had (once the President of the Council, JosÃ© Luis RodrÃguez Zapatero, is counted) an equal number of men and women. He also stated that he doubted that such a composition would be possible in Italy given the “prevalence of men” in Italian politics.WEB,www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2008/04/15/internacional/1208272351.html, Berlusconi ‘regaÃ±a’ a Zapatero: ‘Su Gobierno es demasiado rosa’, es, El Mundo (Spain), El Mundo, 15 April 2008,www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2008/04/15/internacional/1208272351.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131004234950www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2008/04/15/internacional/1208272351.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131004234950www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2008/04/15/internacional/1208272351.html, 4 October 2013, Also in 2008, Berlusconi caused controversy at a joint press conference with Russian president Vladimir Putin. When a journalist from the Russian paper Nezavisimaya Gazeta asked a question about Putin’s personal relationships, Berlusconi made a gesture towards the journalist imitating a gunman shooting.WEB,www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpNx5-9ZOyQ, Berlusconi e Putin in Sardegnaâ€”TG3, YouTube, dead,web.archive.org/web/20151118193419/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpNx5-9ZOyQ, 18 November 2015, On 6 November 2008, two days after Barack Obama was elected the first black US president, Berlusconi referred to Obama as “young, handsome and even tanned”:WEB, Berlusconi Obama Suntanned,www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErsgFMFhoPQ,ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211029/ErsgFMFhoPQ, 29 October 2021, Repubblica Radio TV, 22 July 2011, {{cbignore}}NEWS,uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE4A562120081106, Italy’s Berlusconi hails “suntanned” Obama, Reuters, 6 November 2008, Alberto, Sisto,uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE4A562120081106," title="web.archive.org/web/20090304031839uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE4A562120081106,">web.archive.org/web/20090304031839uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE4A562120081106, 4 March 2009, WEB,tv.repubblica.it/copertina/l-abbronzato-fa-il-giro-del-mondo/26102?video, L’abbronzato fa il giro del mondo, Repubblica Radio TV, 7 November 2008,tv.repubblica.it/copertina/l-abbronzato-fa-il-giro-del-mondo/26102?video," title="web.archive.org/web/20111003060054tv.repubblica.it/copertina/l-abbronzato-fa-il-giro-del-mondo/26102?video,">web.archive.org/web/20111003060054tv.repubblica.it/copertina/l-abbronzato-fa-il-giro-del-mondo/26102?video, 3 October 2011, On 26 March 2009 he said “I’m paler [than Mr Obama], because it’s been so long since I went sunbathing. He’s more handsome, younger and taller.“NEWS, Silvio Berlusconi says he is ‘paler’ than Barack Obama,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/5055633/Silvio-Berlusconi-says-he-is-paler-than-Barack-Obama.html, 26 March 2009, The Daily Telegraph, London, Nick, Squires, 30 March 2010,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/5055633/Silvio-Berlusconi-says-he-is-paler-than-Barack-Obama.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131115203828www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/5055633/Silvio-Berlusconi-says-he-is-paler-than-Barack-Obama.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131115203828www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/5055633/Silvio-Berlusconi-says-he-is-paler-than-Barack-Obama.html, 15 November 2013, On 24 January 2009, Berlusconi announced his aim to increase the numbers of military patrolling the Italian cities from 3,000 to 30,000 to crack down on what he called an “evil army” of criminals. Responding to a female journalist who asked him if this tenfold increase in patrolling soldiers would be enough to secure Italian women from being raped, he said: “We could not field a big enough force to avoid this risk [of rape]. We would need as many soldiers as beautiful women and I don’t think that would be possible, because our women are so beautiful.” Opposition leaders called the remarks insensitive and in bad taste. Berlusconi retorted that he had merely wanted to compliment Italian women. Other critics accused him of creating a police state.NEWS,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/4339817/Silvio-Berlusconi-criticised-for-pretty-girl-rape-comment.html, Silvio Berlusconi criticised for ‘pretty girl’ rape comment, The Daily Telegraph, London, 4 April 2009, Nick, Squires, 30 March 2010,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/4339817/Silvio-Berlusconi-criticised-for-pretty-girl-rape-comment.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131127152020www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/4339817/Silvio-Berlusconi-criticised-for-pretty-girl-rape-comment.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131127152020www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/4339817/Silvio-Berlusconi-criticised-for-pretty-girl-rape-comment.html, 27 November 2013, File:Silvio Berlusconi and George W. Bush at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.jpg|thumb|left|Berlusconi smiles with US president George W. Bush at the NATO headquarters in Brussels BrusselsTwo days after the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake, Berlusconi suggested that people left homeless should view their experience as a camping weekend.NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2009/apr/08/italy-earthquake-berlusconi, Berlusconi: Italy earthquake victims should view experience as a camping weekend, The Guardian, London, 8 April 2009, 8 April 2009, John, Hooper,www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/08/italy-earthquake-berlusconi," title="web.archive.org/web/20121117025058www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/08/italy-earthquake-berlusconi,">web.archive.org/web/20121117025058www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/08/italy-earthquake-berlusconi, 17 November 2012, In October 2010, Berlusconi was chastised by the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano after he was filmed telling “offensive and deplorable jokes”, including one whose punchline was similar to one of the gravest blasphemies in the Italian language. It was also revealed he had made another antisemitic joke a few days previously. Berlusconi responded to the allegations by saying the jokes were “neither an offence nor a sin, but merely a laugh”.NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2010/oct/03/silvio-berlusconi-under-fire-jokes, London, The Guardian, Tom, Kington, Silvio Berlusconi condemned by Vatican newspaper for ‘deplorable’ jokes, 3 October 2010,www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/oct/03/silvio-berlusconi-under-fire-jokes," title="web.archive.org/web/20101210123730www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/oct/03/silvio-berlusconi-under-fire-jokes,">web.archive.org/web/20101210123730www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/oct/03/silvio-berlusconi-under-fire-jokes, 10 December 2010, File:Dmitry Medvedev and Silvio Berlusconi 03.jpg|thumb|Berlusconi jokes with Russian president Dmitry Medvedev Dmitry MedvedevOn 1 November 2010, after once again being accused of involvement in juvenile prostitution, he suggested that an audience at the Milan trade fair should stop reading newspapers: “Don’t read newspapers any more because they deceive you. ... I am a man who works hard all day long and if sometimes I look at some good-looking girl, it’s better to be fond of pretty girls than to be gay.“WEB,www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1RX_ppWuRg,www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1RX_ppWuRg," title="web.archive.org/web/20110604094235www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1RX_ppWuRg,">web.archive.org/web/20110604094235www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1RX_ppWuRg, 4 June 2011, Berlusconi and girls, YouTube, 1 November 2010, The remarks were immediately condemned by Arcigay, Italy’s main gay rights organisation.NEWS,www.libero-news.it/news/522513/Berlusconi___Meglio_guardare_le_belle_ragazze_che_essere_gay_.html, Libero, 2 November 2010, Berlusconi: “Meglio guardare le belle ragazze che essere gay”,www.libero-news.it/news/522513/Berlusconi___Meglio_guardare_le_belle_ragazze_che_essere_gay_.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20111005062234www.libero-news.it/news/522513/Berlusconi___Meglio_guardare_le_belle_ragazze_che_essere_gay_.html,">web.archive.org/web/20111005062234www.libero-news.it/news/522513/Berlusconi___Meglio_guardare_le_belle_ragazze_che_essere_gay_.html, 5 October 2011, On 13 July 2011, according to a leaked telephone surveillance transcript, Berlusconi told his presumed blackmailer Valter Lavitola: “The only thing they can say about me is that I screw around ... Now they’re spying on me, controlling my phone calls. I don’t give a fuck. In a few months ... I’ll be leaving this shit country that makes me sick.“In September 2011 in a phone call, he said that the German First Minister Angela Merkel has an Unfuckable lard Ass.WEB,inchieste.repubblica.it/it/repubblica/rep-it/2011/09/02/news/sfogo_berlusconi_verbali-21135410/, Lo sfogo del premier: “Paese di merda. Tra qualche mese me ne vado”, la Repubblica, 2 September 2011, Del Porto, Dario, Sannino, Conchita, it, 25 September 2011,inchieste.repubblica.it/it/repubblica/rep-it/2011/09/02/news/sfogo_berlusconi_verbali-21135410/," title="web.archive.org/web/20131004230938inchieste.repubblica.it/it/repubblica/rep-it/2011/09/02/news/sfogo_berlusconi_verbali-21135410/,">web.archive.org/web/20131004230938inchieste.repubblica.it/it/repubblica/rep-it/2011/09/02/news/sfogo_berlusconi_verbali-21135410/, 4 October 2013, On 27 January 2013, on the occasion of the Holocaust Remembrance Day, Berlusconi said the Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, except for passing anti-Jewish laws in 1938, only had done “good things” for Italy; and also said Mussolini from a strategic point of view did the right thing in siding with Adolf Hitler during World War II, because Hitler at the point of time when the alliance was made had appeared to be winning the war.NEWS,www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-berlusconi-mussolini-idUSBRE90Q0B620130127, Berlusconi defends Mussolini, draws outrage from political left, Reuters, 27 January 2013,web.archive.org/web/20131229170117/https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/27/us-italy-berlusconi-mussolini-idUSBRE90Q0B620130127, 29 December 2013,

Friendship with Bettino Craxi

File:Berlusconi 1984.jpg|thumb|Berlusconi and Bettino Craxi Bettino CraxiBerlusconi’s career as an entrepreneur was also often questioned by his detractors. The allegations made against him generally included suspicions about the extremely rapid increase of his activity in the construction industry in the years 1961â€“63, hinting at the possibility that in those years he received money from unknown and possibly illegal sources. These accusations were regarded by Berlusconi and his supporters as empty slander, trying to undermine Berlusconi’s reputation as a self-made man.Also frequently cited by opponents are events dating to the 1980s, including supposed “exchanges of favours” between Berlusconi and Bettino Craxi, the former Socialist prime minister and leader of the Italian Socialist Party convicted in 1994, for various corruption charges. The Milan magistrates who indicted and successfully convicted Craxi in their “Clean Hands” investigation laid bare an entrenched system in which businessmen paid hundreds of millions of dollars to political parties or individual politicians in exchange for sweetheart deals with Italian state companies and the government itself.NEWS, The New York Times,www.nytimes.com/2000/01/20/news/20iht-obit.2.t_32.html?scp=2&sq=craxi&st=cse, Bettino Craxi, Italian Socialist Leader, Dies in Tunisiader, 20 January 2000, 11 November 2009, Alan, Friedman,www.nytimes.com/2000/01/20/news/20iht-obit.2.t_32.html?scp=2&sq=craxi&st=cse," title="web.archive.org/web/20131005013521www.nytimes.com/2000/01/20/news/20iht-obit.2.t_32.html?scp=2&sq=craxi&st=cse,">web.archive.org/web/20131005013521www.nytimes.com/2000/01/20/news/20iht-obit.2.t_32.html?scp=2&sq=craxi&st=cse, 5 October 2013, Berlusconi acknowledged a personal friendship with Craxi.NEWS, Berlusconi su Craxi: “Patria ingrata lo costrinse a morire in esilio”,www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/berlusconi-su-craxi-patria-ingrata-costrinse-morire-esilio-1809999.html, 15 June 2023, Il Giornale, 11 January 2020, it,

Freedom Army

On 28 May 2013, Berlusconi and his entourage launched an online initiative which consisted of the recruitment of volunteers, who are available to defend Berlusconi from the convictions of Milan’s prosecutors, who were dealing with his trials,WEB, 28 May 2013, Contro la persecuzione dei magistrati, arriva “l’esercito di Silvio” per difendere il Cavaliere,www.repubblica.it/politica/2013/05/28/foto/esercito_silvio_berlusconi-59831988/1/, 7 January 2024, la Repubblica, it, and whom Berlusconi often accused of being communists and anti-democratic.Esercito di Silvio. Esercitodellaliberta.it (16 June 2013). Retrieved 4 August 2013. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410105911www.esercitodellaliberta.it/ |date=10 April 2014 }}Simone Furlan, the creator of the Freedom Army, said in an interview: “There comes a time in life, when you realize that fighting for an ideal is no longer a choice but an obligation. We civil society we were helpless spectators of the ‘War of the Twenty Years’ which saw Berlusconi fight and defend against slanderous accusations of all kinds, the result of a judicial persecution without precedent in history.“WEB, Nasce l’esercito di Silvio, sito per arruolare “difensori” di Berlusconi dai giudici,www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2013-05-28/nasce-esercito-silvio-sito-145922.shtml?uuid=Ab7n02zH, 7 January 2024, Il Sole 24 ORE, it, This initiative, launched as Freedom Army, has been immediately nicknamed “Silvio’s Army” by the media, and was condemned by the Democratic Party, the Five Star Movement and Left Ecology Freedom.Ticinonews â€“ Ãˆ nato l’esercito di Berlusconi. Ticinonews.ch (28 May 2013). Retrieved 4 August 2013. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004234954www.ticinonews.ch/articolo.aspx?id=300730&rubrica=15 |date=4 October 2013 }}

Wiretaps and accusations of corruption

In December 2007, the audio recording of a phone call between Berlusconi, then leader of the opposition, and Agostino SaccÃ (general director of RAI) were published by the magazine L’Espresso and caused a scandal in the media.WEB,www.repubblica.it/2007/12/sezioni/politica/berlusconi-indagato/berlusconi-regime/berlusconi-regime.html, Inchiesta Berlusconi “SaccÃ va sospeso” L’ex premier: “Solleva il morale del Capo”, it, la Repubblica, 13 December 2007,www.repubblica.it/2007/12/sezioni/politica/berlusconi-indagato/berlusconi-regime/berlusconi-regime.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131005005713www.repubblica.it/2007/12/sezioni/politica/berlusconi-indagato/berlusconi-regime/berlusconi-regime.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131005005713www.repubblica.it/2007/12/sezioni/politica/berlusconi-indagato/berlusconi-regime/berlusconi-regime.html, 5 October 2013, The wiretap was part of an investigation by the Public Prosecutor Office of Naples, where Berlusconi was investigated for corruption.WEB,www.corriere.it/cronache/07_dicembre_12/berlusconi_indagato_corruzione_sacca_a47dd26e-a884-11dc-8e86-0003ba99c53b.shtml, Berlusconi indagato per corruzione, it, Corriere della Sera, 12 December 2007,www.corriere.it/cronache/07_dicembre_12/berlusconi_indagato_corruzione_sacca_a47dd26e-a884-11dc-8e86-0003ba99c53b.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20131004234350www.corriere.it/cronache/07_dicembre_12/berlusconi_indagato_corruzione_sacca_a47dd26e-a884-11dc-8e86-0003ba99c53b.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20131004234350www.corriere.it/cronache/07_dicembre_12/berlusconi_indagato_corruzione_sacca_a47dd26e-a884-11dc-8e86-0003ba99c53b.shtml, 4 October 2013, In the phone call, SaccÃ expresses words of impassioned political support to Berlusconi and criticises the behaviour of Berlusconi’s allies. Berlusconi urges SaccÃ to broadcast a telefilm series which was strongly advocated by his ally Umberto Bossi. SaccÃ laments that many people have spread rumours on this agreement causing problems to him. Then Berlusconi asks SaccÃ to find a job in RAI for a young woman explicitly telling him that this woman would serve as an asset in a secret exchange with a senator of the majority who would help him to cause Prodi, with his administration, to fall.WEB,espresso.repubblica.it/dettaglio/Pronto-Silvio-sono-Sacca/1917587, Pronto Silvio, sono SaccÃ , it, L’espresso, Italy, 20 December 2007,espresso.repubblica.it/dettaglio/pronto-silvio-sono-sacca/1917587," title="web.archive.org/web/20130622044420espresso.repubblica.it/dettaglio/pronto-silvio-sono-sacca/1917587,">web.archive.org/web/20130622044420espresso.repubblica.it/dettaglio/pronto-silvio-sono-sacca/1917587, 22 June 2013, {{Clarify|date=February 2011}} After the publication of these wiretaps, Berlusconi was accused by other politicians and by some journalists of political corruption through the exploitation of prostitution. In his own defence, Berlusconi said: “In the entertainment world everybody knows that, in certain situations in RAI TV you work only if you prostitute yourself or if you are leftist. I have intervened on behalf of some personalities who are not leftists and have been completely set apart by RAI TV.“WEB,www.corriere.it/politica/07_dicembre_20/berlusconi_rai_sinistra_4933f5e8-aefe-11dc-8fe5-0003ba99c53b.shtml, Berlusconi: “In Rai tutti raccomandati”, it, Corriere della Sera, 20 December 2007,www.corriere.it/politica/07_dicembre_20/berlusconi_rai_sinistra_4933f5e8-aefe-11dc-8fe5-0003ba99c53b.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20131005002333www.corriere.it/politica/07_dicembre_20/berlusconi_rai_sinistra_4933f5e8-aefe-11dc-8fe5-0003ba99c53b.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20131005002333www.corriere.it/politica/07_dicembre_20/berlusconi_rai_sinistra_4933f5e8-aefe-11dc-8fe5-0003ba99c53b.shtml, 5 October 2013, In the State Department’s 2011 Trafficking in Persons report authorised by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Berlusconi was explicitly named as a person involved in the “commercial sexual exploitation of a Moroccan child”.WEB,e-edition.metro.co.uk/2011/10/31/index.html, Metro UK â€“ 31/10/2011 digital edition, E-edition.metro.co.uk, 1 November 2011,e-edition.metro.co.uk/2011/10/31/index.html?p=11," title="archive.today/20131004235614e-edition.metro.co.uk/2011/10/31/index.html?p=11,">archive.today/20131004235614e-edition.metro.co.uk/2011/10/31/index.html?p=11, 4 October 2013, NEWS, Pisa, Nick,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/silvio-berlusconi/8858275/Silvio-Berlusconi-named-on-US-government-report-on-people-trafficking.html, Silvio Berlusconi named on US government report on people trafficking, The Daily Telegraph, 30 October 2011, 1 November 2011, London,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/silvio-berlusconi/8858275/Silvio-Berlusconi-named-on-US-government-report-on-people-trafficking.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131115145848www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/silvio-berlusconi/8858275/Silvio-Berlusconi-named-on-US-government-report-on-people-trafficking.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131115145848www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/silvio-berlusconi/8858275/Silvio-Berlusconi-named-on-US-government-report-on-people-trafficking.html, 15 November 2013,

Divorce and allegations of sexual misconduct

Shots of Porto Rotondo

The attention of the newspapers was later attracted by photos that the photographer Antonello Zappadu had taken on several occasions; some document a vacation in May 2008 in Berlusconi’s summer residence in {{ill|Porto Rotondo|it}}, where Czech prime minister Mirek TopolÃ¡nek appears in an Adamic dress,WEB, Topolanek: “Nelle foto a Villa Certosa sono io, ma Ã¨ un fotomontaggio” â€“ Corriere della Sera,www.corriere.it/esteri/09_giugno_05/topolanek_foto_villa_ad9fee20-51ef-11de-b581-00144f02aabc.shtml, 29 March 2021, Corriere della Sera, and during the party young girls in bikinis or topless.WEB, E Berlusconi scrive al Garante ‘Bloccate le foto di Villa Certosa’ â€“ Corriere della Sera,www.corriere.it/politica/09_maggio_30/berlusconi_garante_foto_784e933c-4cdd-11de-82fb-00144f02aabc.shtml, 29 March 2021, Corriere della Sera, On 5 June 2009, El PaÃs published 5 of the 700 photos of the party.NEWS, 4 June 2009, The pictures vetoed by Berlusconi, es, El PaÃs,elpais.com/internacional/2009/06/05/actualidad/1244152803_850215.html, 29 March 2021, 1134-6582, On recommendations from Berlusconi, the Rome Prosecutor’s Office seized the photographic material for violation of privacy.NEWS, Caso Berlusconi, il gip dispone il sequestro delle foto di Zappadu,www.lanuovasardegna.it/olbia/cronaca/2009/06/24/news/caso-berlusconi-il-gip-dispone-il-sequestro-delle-foto-di-zappadu-1.3314539, 15 June 2023, La Nuova Sardegna, 24 June 2009, it,

Rubygate

In November 2010, 17-year-old Moroccan belly dancer and alleged prostitute Karima El Mahroug, better known as Ruby Rubacuori, claimed to have been given $10,000 by Berlusconi at parties at his private villas. The girl told prosecutors in Milan that these events were like orgies where Berlusconi and 20 young women performed an African-style ritual known as the “bunga bunga” in the nude.NEWS,www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/09/3061762.htm?section=justin, Exile an option for besieged Berlusconi, ABC News, Australia, 9 November 2010, 9 November 2010,www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/09/3061762.htm?section=justin," title="web.archive.org/web/20110628230203www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/09/3061762.htm?section=justin,">web.archive.org/web/20110628230203www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/09/3061762.htm?section=justin, 28 June 2011, “Berlusconi’s ‘Bunga Bunga Orgies{{’“}}, Daily Beast 7 November 2010 Retrieved 25 November 2010 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310055404www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-11-07/silvio-berlusconis-bunga-bunga-parties |date=10 March 2011 }}It was also found out that, on 27 May 2010, El Mahroug had been arrested for theft by the Milan police but (being still a minor) she was directed to a shelter for juvenile offenders. After a couple of hours, while she was being questioned, Berlusconi, who was at the time in Paris, called the head of the police in Milan and pressured for her release, claiming the girl was related to Hosni Mubarak, then President of Egypt, and that to avoid a diplomatic crisis, she was to be brought to the custody of Nicole Minetti. Following repeated telephone calls by Berlusconi to the police authorities, El Mahroug was eventually released and entrusted to Minetti’s care.WEB,www.ansa.it/web/notizie/rubriche/english/2011/01/26/visualizza_new.html_1616141984.html, Prosecutors send fresh evidence for Ruby case searches: Lombardy councillor at centre of scandal summoned, ANSA, 26 January 2011,www.ansa.it/web/notizie/rubriche/english/2011/01/26/visualizza_new.html_1616141984.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20140201205109www.ansa.it/web/notizie/rubriche/english/2011/01/26/visualizza_new.html_1616141984.html,">web.archive.org/web/20140201205109www.ansa.it/web/notizie/rubriche/english/2011/01/26/visualizza_new.html_1616141984.html, 1 February 2014, The investigation of Berlusconi for extortion ({{ill|concussione|it|italic=y}}) and child prostitution regarding Karima El Mahroug has been referred to as “Rubygate”.WEB,www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2011/01/14/ruby-b-under-investigation-for-child-prostitution-videos-and-photos-found-in-girl%E2%80%99s-laptop/86481, Ruby, B. under investigation for child prostitution Videos and photos found in girl’s laptop, Il Fatto Quotidiano, 14 January 2011, 1 November 2011,www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2011/01/14/ruby-b-under-investigation-for-child-prostitution-videos-and-photos-found-in-girl%E2%80%99s-laptop/86481," title="web.archive.org/web/20140301211646www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2011/01/14/ruby-b-under-investigation-for-child-prostitution-videos-and-photos-found-in-girl%E2%80%99s-laptop/86481,">web.archive.org/web/20140301211646www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2011/01/14/ruby-b-under-investigation-for-child-prostitution-videos-and-photos-found-in-girl%E2%80%99s-laptop/86481, 1 March 2014, MP Gaetano Pecorella proposed to lower the age of majority in Italy to solve the case.WEB,rassegna.governo.it/testo.asp?d=55045063, Governo Italianoâ€”Rassegna stampa, Rassegna.governo.it, 1 November 2011, dead,rassegna.governo.it/testo.asp?d=55045063," title="web.archive.org/web/20111214150134rassegna.governo.it/testo.asp?d=55045063,">web.archive.org/web/20111214150134rassegna.governo.it/testo.asp?d=55045063, 14 December 2011, Minetti was known for previous associations with Berlusconi, having danced for Colorado Cafe, a show on one of Berlusconi’s TV channels, and on Scorie, an Italian version of Candid Camera. In November 2009 she became a dental hygienist, and shortly afterward treated Berlusconi for two broken teeth and facial injuries after he was attacked with a marble statue at a political rally.NEWS,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/7265423/Silvio-Berlusconi-shortlists-dental-hygienist-as-political-candidate.html,ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/7265423/Silvio-Berlusconi-shortlists-dental-hygienist-as-political-candidate.html, 11 January 2022, subscription, live, Silvio Berlusconi shortlists dental hygienist as political candidate, Squires, Nick, February 2010, The Daily Telegraph, London, {{cbignore}}WEB,www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/world/europe/14italy.html, Attacker Fractures Berlusconi’s Nose, ELISABETTA POVOLEDO and RACHEL DONADIODEC, December 2009, The New York Times, In February 2010, she was selected as one of the candidates representing Berlusconi’s The People of Freedom party, despite her lack of any political experience, and was seated on the Regional Council of Lombardy the following month.NEWS, Walker, Peter, 14 January 2011,www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/14/ruby-rubacuori-silvio-berlusconi, Ruby Rubacuori could finally bring down Silvio Berlusconi, The Guardian, UK,www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/14/ruby-rubacuori-silvio-berlusconi," title="web.archive.org/web/20110114201538www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/14/ruby-rubacuori-silvio-berlusconi,">web.archive.org/web/20110114201538www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/14/ruby-rubacuori-silvio-berlusconi, 14 January 2011, WEB,www.newkerala.com/news/world/fullnews-127291.html, Female politician ‘organized lesbian romps for Silvio Berlusconi, New Kerala, 19 January 2011,www.newkerala.com/news/world/fullnews-127291.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131004225728www.newkerala.com/news/world/fullnews-127291.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131004225728www.newkerala.com/news/world/fullnews-127291.html, 4 October 2013, The Guardian reported that according to a series of media reports in October 2010, Berlusconi had met El Mahroug, then 17, through Nicole Minetti. Mahroug insisted that she had not slept with the then 74-year-old prime minister. She told Italian newspapers that she merely attended dinner at his mansion near Milan. El Mahroug said she sat next to Berlusconi, who later took her upstairs and gave her an envelope containing â‚¬7,000. She said he also gave her jewellery.Berlusconi came under fire for reportedly spending $1.8 million in state funds from RAI Cinema to further the career of a largely unknown Bulgarian actress, Michelle Bonev. The fact that this coincided with severe cuts being made to the country’s arts budget provoked a strong reaction from the public.Berlusconi in Hot Water Again for Using State Funds to Help Actress, Art+Auction. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823130425www.artinfo.com/news/story/36570/berlusconi-in-hot-water-again-for-using-state-funds-to-help-actress/ |date=23 August 2011 }}In January 2011, Berlusconi was placed under criminal investigation relating to El Mahroug for allegedly having sex with an underage prostitute and for abuse of office relating to her release from detention.WEB,www.newsweek.com/2011/01/14/more-heat-for-berlusconi.html, Berlusconi Faces New Criminal Probe in Italy, Newsweek, 14 January 2011,www.newsweek.com/2011/01/14/more-heat-for-berlusconi.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20110729080656www.newsweek.com/2011/01/14/more-heat-for-berlusconi.html,">web.archive.org/web/20110729080656www.newsweek.com/2011/01/14/more-heat-for-berlusconi.html, 29 July 2011, On 15 February 2011, a judge indicted Berlusconi to stand trial on charges carrying up to 15 years in prison.NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/15/silvio-berlusconi-trial-teenage-sex, Silvio Berlusconi sent for trial accused of paying for sex with teenager, 15 February 2011, The Guardian, UK, 15 February 2011, John, Hooper,www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/15/silvio-berlusconi-trial-teenage-sex," title="web.archive.org/web/20130523045027www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/15/silvio-berlusconi-trial-teenage-sex,">web.archive.org/web/20130523045027www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/15/silvio-berlusconi-trial-teenage-sex, 23 May 2013, NEWS, Silvio Berlusconi faces Ruby sex charge trial in April,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12083491, 15 February 2011, BBC News, 15 February 2011,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12083491," title="web.archive.org/web/20131103182212www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12083491,">web.archive.org/web/20131103182212www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12083491, 3 November 2013, The fast-track trial opened on 6 April and was adjourned until 31 May. El Mahroug’s lawyer said that Mahroug would not be attaching herself to the case as a civil complainant and denies that she ever made herself available for money. Another alleged victim, Giorgia Iafrate, also decided not to be a party to the case.NEWS, Hooper, John, Silvio Berlusconi underage sex trial begins,www.theguardian.com/world/2011/apr/06/silvio-berlusconi-sex-trial-begins, 15 June 2023, The Guardian, 6 April 2011, In January 2013, judges rejected an application from Berlusconi’s lawyers to have the trial adjourned so that it would not interfere with Italy’s 2013 general election in which Berlusconi participated.NEWS, Silvio Berlusconi: Ruby sex trial plea rejected,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21010660, BBC, 14 January 2013, 14 January 2013,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21010660," title="web.archive.org/web/20130525051853www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21010660,">web.archive.org/web/20130525051853www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21010660, 25 May 2013, On 24 June 2013, Berlusconi was found guilty of paying for sex with an underage prostitute and of abusing his office. He was sentenced to seven years in prison, one more year than had been requested by the prosecution, and banned from public office for life.NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/24/silvio-berlusconi-guilty-underage-prostitute, Silvio Berlusconi found guilty of paying for sex, The Guardian, 24 June 2013, London, Lizzy, Davies, 24 June 2013,www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/24/silvio-berlusconi-guilty-underage-prostitute," title="web.archive.org/web/20130720143914www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/24/silvio-berlusconi-guilty-underage-prostitute,">web.archive.org/web/20130720143914www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/24/silvio-berlusconi-guilty-underage-prostitute, 20 July 2013, Berlusconi appealed the sentenceNEWS,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-23034167, Italian ex-PM Berlusconi sentenced in Ruby sex case, 24 June 2013, 24 June 2013,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-23034167," title="web.archive.org/web/20140506143755www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-23034167,">web.archive.org/web/20140506143755www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-23034167, 6 May 2014, BBC News, and his conviction was quashed a year later, on 18 July 2014.NEWS,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28369408, Silvio Berlusconi sex conviction overturned, BBC News, 18 July 2014, In 2020, Wondery released a podcast about Berlusconi’s rise and fall entitled Bunga Bunga hosted by comedienne Whitney Cummings.NEWS,wondery.com/shows/bunga-bunga/, Bunga Bunga, Wondery {{pipe, Premium Podcasts |access-date=23 July 2021}}MAGAZINE,www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/08/bunga-bunga-podcast-whitney-cummings, Silvio Berlusconi’s Story Is Probably Even Wilder Than You Remember, Rich, Katey, Vanity Fair, 10 August 2020, 23 July 2021,

Panama Papers

In April 2016, the Panama Papers scandal broke out; it was a leaked set of 11.5 million confidential documents that provide detailed information about more than 214,000 offshore companies listed by the Panamanian corporate service provider Mossack Fonseca, including the identities of shareholders and directors of the companies. The documents show how wealthy individuals, including public officials, hid their assets from public scrutiny. Berlusconi was cited in the list, along with his long-time partner at AC Milan, Adriano Galliani.WEB,espresso.repubblica.it/plus/articoli/2016/04/07/news/panama-papers-ecco-i-primi-100-nomi-degli-italiani-coi-soldi-in-paradiso-1.257659, Panama Papers, ecco i primi 100 nomi degli italiani con i soldi in paradiso, 8 April 2016, l’Espresso,

Health

On 13 December 2009, Berlusconi was hit in the face with a statuette of Milan Cathedral after a rally in Milan’s Piazza del Duomo. The assailant was subsequently detained and identified as Massimo Tartaglia, a 42-year-old surveyor with a history of mental illness but no criminal record.NEWS, Da perito a inventore, Ã¨ in cura da dieci anni, it, Corriere della Sera, 14 December 2009, 4,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2009/dicembre/14/perito_inventore_cura_dieci_anni_co_8_091214010.shtml, 4 January 2010,archiviostorico.corriere.it/2009/dicembre/14/perito_inventore_cura_dieci_anni_co_8_091214010.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20131029203142archiviostorico.corriere.it/2009/dicembre/14/perito_inventore_cura_dieci_anni_co_8_091214010.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20131029203142archiviostorico.corriere.it/2009/dicembre/14/perito_inventore_cura_dieci_anni_co_8_091214010.shtml, 29 October 2013, NEWS, Silvio Berlusconi punched in the face in Milan, The Guardian, London, 13 December 2009,www.theguardian.com/world/2009/dec/13/silvio-berlusconi-punched-in-face, 30 March 2010,www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/13/silvio-berlusconi-punched-in-face," title="web.archive.org/web/20110728065629www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/13/silvio-berlusconi-punched-in-face,">web.archive.org/web/20110728065629www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/13/silvio-berlusconi-punched-in-face, 28 July 2011, NEWS, Tartaglia interrogato dai pm ‘Gesto folle, ma premeditato’, it, La Repubblica, 15 December 2009,www.repubblica.it/2009/12/sezioni/politica/giustizia-22/testimone-nuovo/testimone-nuovo.html,www.repubblica.it/2009/12/sezioni/politica/giustizia-22/testimone-nuovo/testimone-nuovo.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131029205023www.repubblica.it/2009/12/sezioni/politica/giustizia-22/testimone-nuovo/testimone-nuovo.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131029205023www.repubblica.it/2009/12/sezioni/politica/giustizia-22/testimone-nuovo/testimone-nuovo.html, 29 October 2013, Berlusconi suffered facial injuries, a broken nose and two broken teeth; he was subsequently hospitalised.NEWS, Owen, Richard, Silvio Berlusconi will need weeks of treatment after Milan attack, The Times, London, 15 December 2009,www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6956607.ece, 4 January 2010,www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6956607.ece," title="web.archive.org/web/20110629120732www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6956607.ece,">web.archive.org/web/20110629120732www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6956607.ece, 29 June 2011, Berlusconi was discharged from the hospital on 17 December 2009.NEWS, Squires, Nick, Doctors fear for Berlusconi ‘morale’, The Daily Telegraph, 16 December 2009, 17,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/6818922/Fears-for-Silvio-Berlusconis-morale.html, 4 January 2010, London,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/6818922/Fears-for-Silvio-Berlusconis-morale.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131204053404www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/6818922/Fears-for-Silvio-Berlusconis-morale.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131204053404www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/6818922/Fears-for-Silvio-Berlusconis-morale.html, 4 December 2013, ; NEWS, Squires, Nick, Battered and bandaged Berlusconi says his pain need not be in vain, The Daily Telegraph, 18 December 2009, 23,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/6834114/Silvio-Berlusconi-leaves-hospital-covered-in-bandages.html, 4 January 2010, London,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/6834114/Silvio-Berlusconi-leaves-hospital-covered-in-bandages.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131026163558www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/6834114/Silvio-Berlusconi-leaves-hospital-covered-in-bandages.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131026163558www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/6834114/Silvio-Berlusconi-leaves-hospital-covered-in-bandages.html, 26 October 2013, On 7 June 2016, after the campaign for the 2016 Italian local elections, Berlusconi was hospitalised to the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan because of heart problems.WEB,edition.cnn.com/2016/06/07/europe/berlusconi-italy-heart/index.html, Italy’s Berlusconi hospitalized with heart problems, Angela, Dewan, CNN, 7 June 2016, After two days, on 9 June, his personal doctor Alberto Zangrillo announced that the stroke could have killed him, and that he had to have a heart surgery to replace a defective aortic valve.WEB,www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36490900, Urgent heart surgery for Berlusconi, 9 June 2016, BBC, On 2 September 2020, amid the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, Berlusconi tested positive for COVID-19. He had had contact with businessman Flavio Briatore, who had been hospitalised after contracting the virus,NEWS, Giuffrida, Angela, Silvio Berlusconi tests positive for Covid-19 after Sardinia visit,www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/02/silvio-berlusconi-tests-positive-for-covid-19-after-sardinia-visit, 3 September 2020, The Guardian, 2 September 2020, and with his daughter Barbara and his son Luigi, who had also tested positive.NEWS, Giuffrida, Angela, Silvio Berlusconi admitted to hospital with coronavirus,www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/04/silvio-berlusconi-admitted-milan-hospital-coronavirus-italy, 4 September 2020, The Guardian, 4 September 2020, The following day, Berlusconi announced he was well and continuing to work; on the next day, 3 September, he was admitted to the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan with bilateral pneumonia.WEB,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54024269, Coronavirus: Italy ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi in hospital, BBC News, ANSA, 4 September 2020, Berlusconi, hospitalized with COVID, has lung infection ABC news, 4 September 2020, visited 9 September 2020 Alberto Zangrillo, head of intensive care at San Raffaele Hospital, said on 11 September 2020 that Berlusconi was admitted with a very high viral load, but that he was improving and his response to the disease had been “optimal”.WEB, Zangrillo shock: “For Berlusconi very high viral load, he would have died in March”, L’Unione Sarda, 11 September 2020,www.unionesarda.it/en/articolo/news/italia/2020/09/11/zangrillo-choc-per-berlusconi-carica-virale-altissima-a-marzo-sar-137-1058204.html, 11 September 2020, 12 September 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200912015847/https://www.unionesarda.it/en/articolo/news/italia/2020/09/11/zangrillo-choc-per-berlusconi-carica-virale-altissima-a-marzo-sar-137-1058204.html, dead, WEB, Zangrillo: “Berlusconi? A marzo-aprile sarebbe morto. Dieci ore dopo in ospedale sarebbe stato troppo tardi”. La rivelazione a La7 â€“ Il Fatto Quotidiano, Berlusconi? In Marchâ€“April he would have been dead. Getting to the hospital ten hours later would have been too late, Il Fatto Quotidiano, 11 September 2020,www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2020/09/11/zangrillo-berlusconi-a-marzo-aprile-sarebbe-morto-dieci-ore-dopo-in-ospedale-sarebbe-stato-troppo-tardi-la-rivelazione-a-la7/5927956/, it, With detailed video interview (in Italian). On 14 September, he was discharged. Berlusconi described COVID-19 as “the most dangerous and frightening experience” of his life.WEB, 14 September 2020, Berlusconi dimesso dall’ospedale: “La prova piÃ¹ pericolosa della mia vita”,milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2020/09/14/news/oggi_berlusconi_dimesso_da_san_raffaele-267244088/, 7 January 2024, la Repubblica, it, Covid, Berlusconi: “Primi tre giorni difficilissimi, non credevo di farcela”, Adnkronos In May 2021, he was hospitalised due to COVID-19 long-term consequences.NEWS, Lauria, Emanuele, Berlusconi torna a parlare: “Ho affrontato le complicazioni di un male tremendo”,www.repubblica.it/politica/2021/06/02/news/berlusconi_torna_a_parlare_ho_affrontato_le_comp_licazione_di_un_male_tremendo_-303843150/?ref=RHTP-VS-I287409039-P5-S6-T1, 12 June 2023, La Repubblica, 2 June 2021, it, In January 2022 Berlusconi was hospitalised for eight days to treat a severe urinary infection with strong antibiotic therapy. Due to hospitalisation, he was unable to participate in the presidential elections.NEWS, Silvio Berlusconi dimesso dall’ospedale San Raffaele dopo otto giorni di ricovero, la Repubbl7ca, 31 January 2022,milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2022/01/31/news/berlusconi_dimesso_dal_san_raffaele-335823893/, On 27 March 2023, Berlusconi was admitted to San Raffaele Hospital for three days after suffering pains.NEWS, 30 March 2023, Silvio Berlusconi discharged from the San Raffaele hospital, ANSA,www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2023/03/30/silvio-berlusconi-dimesso-dallospedale-san-raffaele_c6faa779-1c1a-407c-ac90-9bb995d5ae8a.html, 10 September 2023, In April 2023, Berlusconi was hospitalised again at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan,NEWS, 6 April 2023, Italian ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi in hospital with leukaemia, BBC News,www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65199641, 6 April 2023, and was treated in intensive care after suffering breathing problems,NEWS, Maccioni, Federico, Amante, Angelo, 5 April 2023, Italy’s ex-PM Berlusconi, 86, being treated in intensive care in Milan hospital, Reuters,www.reuters.com/world/europe/former-italian-pm-berlusconi-intensive-care-hospital-2023-04-05/, 28 May 2023, WEB, 5 April 2023, Italian ex-leader Berlusconi hospitalized in ICU, but alert,apnews.com/article/italy-berlusconi-hospital-8fd0159db95cbca8ec1cb9d314998352, 28 May 2023, Associated Press News, due to severe pneumonia caused by a form of leukaemia.NEWS, Pollina, Elvira, 6 April 2023, Former Italy PM Berlusconi in intensive care with leukaemia, lung infection, Reuters,www.reuters.com/world/europe/italy-ex-premier-berlusconi-has-leukaemia-source-2023-04-06/, 28 May 2023, On 6 April, it was reported that Berlusconi had started chemotherapy.WEB, 7 April 2023, Berlusconi, stabile ma vorrebbe andare a acasa â€“ Politica,www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2023/04/07/berlusconi-seconda-notte-tranquilla-al-san-raffaele_1a939b9c-15f2-40fe-b00a-cdc4f23a09a1.html, 28 May 2023, Agenzia ANSA, it, On 16 April, Berlusconi was transferred to a regular ward.NEWS, 16 April 2023, Berlusconi transferred from ICU to regular ward, family says, Associated Press News,apnews.com/article/berlusconi-leaves-intensive-care-italy-hospital-leukemia-65467a70300e0f3f0e3430ee3f364932#, 10 September 2023, In May 2023, a video of Berlusconi was played at the Forza Italia party reassuring his supporters at the party’s convention in Milan. In the video, Berlusconi stated that he was ready to return to work after being hospitalised for a month, and that he had never stopped working even while in hospital.NEWS, Kathryn, Armstrong, Silvio Berlusconi: Italy ex-PM appears by video after serious illness,www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65515431, 7 May 2023, BBC News, He was discharged from the hospital on 19 May, proclaiming “the nightmare” was over.NEWS, 19 May 2023, Italy: Silvio Berlusconi released from Milan hospital after six weeks, The Guardian,www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/20/italy-silvio-berlusconi-released-from-milan-hospital-after-six-weeks, 10 September 2023,

Death

File:Funerale di Silvio Berlusconi.jpg|thumb|right|State funeral of Berlusconi at Milan Cathedral Milan CathedralHaving been hospitalised again on 9 June 2023, Berlusconi died on the morning of 12 June, at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan. He was 86.NEWS, Silvio Berlusconi ist tot,www.spiegel.de/ausland/italien-silvio-berlusconi-ist-tot-a-d2b19445-02b1-4b9f-ac83-2526ef07f2e4, 12 June 2023, Der Spiegel, 12 June 2023, German, NEWS, Angela, Giuffrida, Silvio Berlusconi, former Italian prime minister, dies aged 86,www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/12/silvio-berlusconi-former-italian-prime-minister-dies, 12 June 2023, The Guardian, 12 June 2023, Italy’s Council of Ministers declared a day of national mourning on the day of the funeral, also ordering that flags be flown half mast for three days; this was met with protests and polemics by some members of the centre-left coalition, as well as some jurists and political scientists.WEB, Alliva, Simone, 13 June 2023, Lutto nazionale e Camere ferme per Berlusconi, scoppia la polemica. “Una scelta inopportuna”,espresso.repubblica.it/politica/2023/06/13/news/lutto_nazionale_berlusconi_polemiche-404333030/, L’Espresso, it, A few hours after his death, Berlusconi’s body was brought to Villa San Martino, Berlusconi’s mansion in Arcore, where he lay in state in the villa’s private chapel. Due to security reasons, only relatives and close friends could access the chapelle ardente.WEB, Silvio Berlusconi, la camera ardente a villa San Martino ad Arcore: la diretta,video.corriere.it/silvio-berlusconi-camera-ardente-villa-san-martino-ad-arcore/922aca6c-09a9-11ee-bee7-ee379b110155, Corriere della Sera, it-IT, WEB, 13 June 2023, Silvio Berlusconi, domani funerali e lutto nazionale: Meloni, Salvini e La Russa ad Arcore per la camera ardente privata,www.fanpage.it/live/morto-silvio-berlusconi-oggi-la-camera-ardente-privata-domani-i-funerali-di-stato-in-duomo-e-il-lutto-nazionale/, Fanpage.it, it, The following day, a Private Mass in memory of the deceased was celebrated in the chapel by Father Giandomenico Colombo, priest in charge of Arcore, at the presence of relatives and close friends.WEB, 13 June 2023, Funzione religiosa a Villa San Martino â€“ Politica,www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2023/06/13/funzione-religiosa-a-villa-san-martino_6fe46737-a501-4567-88b5-e487d398e087.html, Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata, ANSA, it, WEB, Pederzoli, Chiara, 14 June 2023, L’addio a Berlusconi: don Colombo di Arcore concelebra i funerali di Stato in Duomo a Milano,www.ilcittadinomb.it/news/cronaca/laddio-a-berlusconi-don-colombo-di-arcore-concelebra-i-funerali-di-stato-in-duomo-a-milano/, Il Cittadino di Monza e Brianza, it-IT, Berlusconi’s state funeral was officiated in the Ambrosian Rite on 14 June in the Milan Cathedral by Mario Delpini, the Archbishop of Milan.WEB, Grossi, Lorenzo, 13 June 2023, Ecco come si svolgeranno i funerali in Duomo: tutti i dettagli,www.msn.com/it-it/notizie/other/ecco-come-si-svolgeranno-i-funerali-in-duomo-tutti-i-dettagli/ar-AA1cv73v, Il Giornale, it-IT, Mons. Delpini delivered an homily on the meaning of life, mentioning some elements of Berlusconi’s life (business, public life, politics), concluding that “That’s what we can say about Silvio Berlusconi: he was a man and now he will meet God”.WEB, Delpini, Mario, 14 June 2023, L’omelia dell’arcivescovo Delpini: ‘Berlusconi Ã¨ stato tante cose, ora Ã¨ solo un uomo che incontra Dio’,video.repubblica.it/dossier/morto-berlusconi/l-omelia-dell-arcivescovo-delpini-berlusconi-e-stato-tante-cose-ora-e-solo-un-uomo-che-incontra-dio/447265/448231, la Repubblica, it, 14 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230614155604/https://video.repubblica.it/dossier/morto-berlusconi/l-omelia-dell-arcivescovo-delpini-berlusconi-e-stato-tante-cose-ora-e-solo-un-uomo-che-incontra-dio/447265/448231, dead, The homily caused controversy and different interpretations: it was described as “gelid” by Il Fatto Quotidiano,WEB, Grana, Francesco Antonio, 14 June 2023, Funerali di Berlusconi, la gelida omelia dell’arcivescovo di Milano. “Cosa posso dire di lui? Ãˆ un uomo. E ora incontra Dio”,www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2023/06/14/funerali-di-berlusconi-la-gelida-omelia-dellarcivescovo-di-milano/7194266/, Il Fatto Quotidiano, it-IT, while instead the Corriere della Sera described it as “a perfect portrait, devoid of any hypocrisy”, noting that it was deeply appreciated by Berlusconi’s family,WEB, Franco, Massimo, 14 June 2023, L’omelia dell’arcivescovo di Milano Mario Delpini per i funerali di Stato di Silvio Berlusconi,milano.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/23_giugno_14/l-omelia-dell-arcivescovo-di-milano-mario-delpini-per-i-funerali-di-stato-di-silvio-berlusconi-c087227c-bf59-4565-b944-9a5af4e3cxlk.shtml, Corriere della Sera, it-IT, while Il Foglio called it “a great homily”.WEB, 14 June 2023, “Godere il bello della vita”. Silvio Berlusconi nella grande omelia di mons. Delpini,www.ilfoglio.it/chiesa/2023/06/14/news/-godere-il-bello-della-vita-silvio-berlusconi-nella-grande-omelia-del-mons-delpini-5388011/, Il Foglio, it, Il Messaggero remarked that the homily was inspirated by the theology of Father Luigi Giussani, founder of Communion and Liberation.WEB, Giansoldati, Franca, 14 June 2023, Berlusconi funerali, l’omelia di Delpini (ispirata a Giussani): “C’Ã¨ chi lo applaude e chi lo detesta, ma oggi Ã¨ solo un uomo che incontra Dio”,www.ilmessaggero.it/persone/berlusconi_omelia_funerali_cosa_ha_detto_arcivescovo-7462045.html, Il Messaggero, it, The funeral was attended by 2,300 people in the Cathedral and 15,000 people in the square outside of it.WEB, Buconi, Asia, 14 June 2023, Funerali di Berlusconi: piÃ¹ di 15mila in piazza per l’addio,www.ildigitale.it/funerali-di-berlusconi-15mila-in-piazza-addio/, Il Digitale, it-IT, Supporters of Berlusconi chanted C’Ã¨ solo un presidente! (“There is only one president!“) and applauded while the coffin was entering and then leaving the Cathedral.NEWS, 14 June 2023, “C’Ã¨ solo un presidente!”, il coro e gli applausi fuori dal Duomo, Rai News,www.rainews.it/video/2023/06/ce-solo-un-presidente-il-coro-e-gli-applausi-fuori-dal-duomo-6b361930-ebf0-4154-b8b0-341e6dd3e4cf.html, Anti-communist chants were also reported.WEB, Turco, Giulia, 14 June 2023, “Chi non salta comunista Ã¨”: il coro che fa commuovere Elena Guarnieri ai funerali di Silvio Berlusconi,www.fanpage.it/spettacolo/personaggi/chi-non-salta-comunista-e-i-cori-in-piazza-per-silvio-berlusconi-linviata-del-tg5-si-commuove/, Fanpage.it, it, Following the religious function, Berlusconi’s body was transferred back to Villa San Martino; then, he was transferred to the Tempio Crematorio Valenziano Panta Rei in Alessandria, where his body was cremated. His ashes were buried in the Chapel of Saint Martin in the mansion, next to the tomb of his parents Luigi and Rosa, and his sister Maria Antonietta.WEB, 14 June 2023, Silvio Berlusconi sarÃ cremato,www.msn.com/it-it/notizie/italia/silvio-berlusconi-sar%C3%A0-cremato/ar-AA1cxCqx, Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata, ANSA, it-IT,

Personal fortune

File:001VillaSMartino.JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|Villa San Martino, Arcore, near Milan MilanIn 2012, Forbes magazine reported that Berlusconi was Italy’s sixth richest man, with a net worth of $5.9 billion. He held significant assets in television, newspapers, publishing, cinema, finance, banking, insurance, and sports.MAGAZINE,www.forbes.com/lists/2010/10/billionaires-2010_The-Worlds-Billionaires_CountryOfCitizen_13.html, Forbes; The World’s Billionaires by Country, Forbes, 3 October 2010,www.forbes.com/lists/2010/10/billionaires-2010_The-Worlds-Billionaires_CountryOfCitizen_13.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130923230416www.forbes.com/lists/2010/10/billionaires-2010_The-Worlds-Billionaires_CountryOfCitizen_13.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130923230416www.forbes.com/lists/2010/10/billionaires-2010_The-Worlds-Billionaires_CountryOfCitizen_13.html, 23 September 2013, However, in the summer of 2023, the Italian media estimated Berlusconi’s legacy at only 4 billion euros.WEB,www.corriere.it/economia/aziende/cards/patrimonio-berlusconi-fininvest-mediaset-mondadori-ville-super-yacht-quel-2percento-azioni-cui-dipende-tutto/patrimonio-silvio-berlusconi.shtml, Il patrimonio di Berlusconi: Fininvest, Mediaset, Mondadori, ville, super yacht, it, 12 June 2023, Corriere della Sera, Berlusconi’s main company, Mediaset, operates three national television channels, which in total cover half of the national television sector; and {{ill|Publitalia|it|Publitalia ‘80|italic=y}}, the leading Italian advertising and publicity agency. Berlusconi also owned a controlling stake in Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, the largest Italian publishing house. His brother, Paolo Berlusconi, owns and operates il Giornale, a centre-right newspaper that provides a pro-Berlusconi slant on Italian politics. Il Foglio, one of the most influential Italian right-wing newspapers, is partially owned by his former wife, Veronica Lario. After Lario sold some of her ownership in 2010, Paolo Berlusconi acquired a majority interest in the newspaper. Silvio Berlusconi founded and was the major shareholder of Fininvest, which is among the largest private companies in Italy.WEB,www.mbres.it/sites/default/files/resources/download_it/ps_1.pdf, List of large private Italian companies, 27 October 2012,www.mbres.it/sites/default/files/resources/download_it/ps_1.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20140424045315www.mbres.it/sites/default/files/resources/download_it/ps_1.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20140424045315www.mbres.it/sites/default/files/resources/download_it/ps_1.pdf, 24 April 2014, With Ennio Doris he founded Mediolanum, one of the country’s biggest banking and insurance groups. He had interests in cinema and home video distribution (Medusa Film and Penta Film). He also owned the football club AC Milan from 1986 to 2017, and owned AC Monza since 2018.NEWS, Aufstieg mit AC Monza â€“ Berlusconi zurÃ¼ck in Serie A,www.sportschau.de/fussball/serie-a/serie-a-italien-ac-monza-aufstieg-silvio-berlusconi-100.html, 12 June 2023, Sportschau, 30 May 2022, German, According to his will, Berlusconi bequeathed controlling shares of Fininvest to his two sons and three daughters, a sum of 100 million euros from his personal wealth to his domestic partner, Marta Fascina, another 100 million euros to his brother Paolo Berlusconi and 30 million euros to his longstanding associate, Marcello Dell’Utri.Marcello Dell’Utri, chi Ã¨ il collaboratore di Silvio Berlusconi incluso nel testamento. Sky Tg24

Electoral history{|class“wikitable”

Chamber of Deputies (Italy)>Chamber of Deputies

List of Italian constituencies (1994â€“2006)#Lazio 1>Lazio 1 â€“ Rome Centre

Forza Italia}}

Forza Italia>FI| 34,354

{{tick

Elected}}L’ARCHIVIO

WEBSITE=ELIGENDO

ACCESS-DATE=14 JUNE 2023,

North-West Italy (European Parliament constituency)>North-West Italy

Forza Italia (2013)}}

Forza Italia>FI| 986,087

15}} ElectedL’ARCHIVIO >URL=HTTPS://ELEZIONISTORICO.INTERNO.GOV.IT/INDEX.PHP?TPEL=E&DTEL=12/06/1994&TPA=Y&TPE=I&LEV0=0&LEVSUT0=0&LEVSUT1=1&ES0=S&ES1=S&MS=S&NE1=1&LEV1=1

PUBLISHER=MINISTERO DELL’INTERNO, 14 June 2023,

Chamber of Deputies (Italy)>Chamber of Deputies

List of Italian constituencies (1994â€“2006)#Lombardy 1>Lombardy â€“ Milan 1

Forza Italia}}

Forza Italia>FI| 46,098

{{tick

Elected}}L’ARCHIVIO

WEBSITE=ELIGENDO

ACCESS-DATE=14 JUNE 2023,

North-West Italy (European Parliament constituency)>North-West Italy

Forza Italia (2013)}}

Forza Italia>FI| 992,657

15}} ElectedL’ARCHIVIO >URL=HTTPS://ELEZIONISTORICO.INTERNO.GOV.IT/INDEX.PHP?TPEL=E&DTEL=13/06/1999&TPA=Y&TPE=I&LEV0=0&LEVSUT0=0&LEVSUT1=1&ES0=S&ES1=N&MS=S&NE1=1&LEV1=1

PUBLISHER=MINISTERO DELL’INTERNO, 14 June 2023,

Chamber of Deputies (Italy)>Chamber of Deputies

List of Italian constituencies (1994â€“2006)#Lombardy 1>Lombardy â€“ Milan 1

Forza Italia}}

Forza Italia>FI| 42,098

{{tick

Elected}}L’ARCHIVIO

WEBSITE=ELIGENDO

ACCESS-DATE=14 JUNE 2023,

North-West Italy (European Parliament constituency)>North-West Italy

Forza Italia (2013)}}

Forza Italia>FI| 719,210

15}} ElectedL’ARCHIVIO >URL=HTTPS://ELEZIONISTORICO.INTERNO.GOV.IT/INDEX.PHP?TPEL=E&DTEL=12/06/2004&TPA=Y&TPE=I&LEV0=0&LEVSUT0=0&LEVSUT1=1&ES0=S&ES1=N&MS=S&NE1=1&LEV1=1

PUBLISHER=MINISTERO DELL’INTERNO, 14 June 2023,

Chamber of Deputies (Italy)>Chamber of Deputies| Campania 1

Forza Italia}}

Forza Italia>FI

name=fn1|Elected in a closed list proportional representation system.}}

15}} ElectedL’ARCHIVIO >URL=HTTPS://ELEZIONISTORICO.INTERNO.GOV.IT/INDEX.PHP?TPEL=C&DTEL=09/04/2006&TPA=I&TPE=I&LEV0=0&LEVSUT0=0&LEVSUT1=1&ES0=S&ES1=S&MS=S&NE1=19&LEV1=19

PUBLISHER=MINISTERO DELL’INTERNO, 14 June 2023,

Chamber of Deputies (Italy)>Chamber of Deputies| Molise

The People of Freedom}}

The People of Freedom>PdL

name=fn1}}

15}} ElectedL’ARCHIVIO >URL=HTTPS://ELEZIONISTORICO.INTERNO.GOV.IT/INDEX.PHP?TPEL=C&DTEL=13/04/2008&TPA=I&TPE=I&LEV0=0&LEVSUT0=0&LEVSUT1=1&ES0=S&ES1=S&MS=S&NE1=18&LEV1=18

PUBLISHER=MINISTERO DELL’INTERNO, 14 June 2023,

Southern Italy (European Parliament constituency)>Southern Italy

The People of Freedom}}

The People of Freedom>PdL| 716,093

15}} ElectedL’ARCHIVIO >URL=HTTPS://ELEZIONISTORICO.INTERNO.GOV.IT/INDEX.PHP?TPEL=E&DTEL=07/06/2009&TPA=Y&TPE=I&LEV0=0&LEVSUT0=0&LEVSUT1=1&ES0=S&ES1=N&MS=S&NE1=4&LEV1=4

PUBLISHER=MINISTERO DELL’INTERNO, 14 June 2023,

Senate of the Republic (Italy)>Senate of the Republic| Molise

The People of Freedom}}

The People of Freedom>PdL

name=fn1}}

15}} ElectedL’ARCHIVIO >URL=HTTPS://ELEZIONISTORICO.INTERNO.GOV.IT/INDEX.PHP?TPEL=S&DTEL=24/02/2013&TPA=I&TPE=R&LEV0=0&LEVSUT0=0&LEVSUT1=1&ES0=S&ES1=S&MS=S&NE1=14&LEV1=14

PUBLISHER=MINISTERO DELL’INTERNO, 14 June 2023,

North-West Italy (European Parliament constituency)>North-West Italy

Forza Italia (2013)}}

Forza Italia (2013)>FI| 187,612

15}} ElectedL’ARCHIVIO >URL=HTTPS://ELEZIONISTORICO.INTERNO.GOV.IT/INDEX.PHP?TPEL=E&DTEL=26/05/2019&TPA=I&TPE=I&LEV0=0&LEVSUT0=0&LEVSUT1=1&ES0=S&ES1=S&MS=S&NE1=1&LEV1=1

PUBLISHER=MINISTERO DELL’INTERNO, 14 June 2023,

Senate of the Republic (Italy)>Senate of the Republic| Lombardy â€“ Monza

Forza Italia (2013)}}

Forza Italia (2013)>FI| 231,440

15}} ElectedL’ARCHIVIO >URL=HTTPS://ELEZIONISTORICO.INTERNO.GOV.IT/INDEX.PHP?TPEL=S&DTEL=25/09/2022&TPA=I&TPE=L&LEV0=0&LEVSUT0=0&LEV1=3&LEVSUT1=1&LEV2=1&LEVSUT2=2&LEVSUT3=3&NE1=3&NE2=31&ES0=S&ES1=S&ES2=S&ES3=S&MS=S&NE3=313&LEV3=3

PUBLISHER=MINISTERO DELL’INTERNO, 13 June 2023,

{{notelist}}“>

First-past-the-post elections{| classwikitable styletext-align:right

!colspan=5|1994 general election (C): Lazio 1 â€” Rome Centre!colspan=2|Candidate!Coalition!Votes!%Pole of Freedoms}}Silvio BerlusconiPole of Good Government|34,354|46.3Alliance of Progressives}}Luigi Spaventa Alliance of Progressives|29,914|40.1Segni Pact}}Alberto Michelini Pact for Italy|9,566|12.8Other}}Others|593|0.8Total|74,607|100.0{| class=wikitable style=text-align:right!colspan=5|1996 general election (C): Lombardy â€” Milan 1!colspan=2|Candidate!Coalition!Votes!%Centre-right coalition}}Silvio BerlusconiPole for Freedoms|46,098|51.5Centre-left coalition}}Michele SalvatiThe Olive Tree|32,464|36.3Lega Nord}}Umberto Bossi Lega Nord|10,179|11.4Other}}Others|766|0.9Total|89,507|100.0{| class=wikitable style=text-align:right!colspan=5|2001 general election (C): Lombardy â€” Milan 1!colspan=2|Candidate!Coalition!Votes!%Centre-right coalition}}Silvio BerlusconiHouse of Freedoms|42,098|53.7Centre-left coalition}}Gianni Rivera The Olive Tree|28,651|36.5Other}}Others|7,709|9.8Total|78,458|100.0{| class=wikitable style=text-align:right!colspan=5|2022 general election (S): Lombardy â€“ Monza!colspan=2|Candidate!Coalition!Votes!%Centre-right coalition}}Silvio BerlusconiCentre-right coalition|231,440|50.3Centre-left coalition}}Federica PerelliCentre-left coalition|124,983|27.1Action (Italian political party)}}Fabio AlbaneseAction â€“ Italia Viva|46,860|10.2Other}}Others|57,195|12.41Total|460,478|100.0

Works by Silvio Berlusconi

BOOK, L’Utopia, Utopia (More book), Thomas, More, Silvio Berlusconi (unauthorised translation by Luigi Firpo), Thomas More, WEB,ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2006/03/23/il-cavaliere-il-libro-copiato-allo-storico.html, Il Cavaliere e il libro copiato allo storico CosÃ¬ mio marito Firpo lo smascherÃ² â€“ la Repubblica.it, Archivio â€“ la Repubblica.it, 23 March 2006,
BOOK, Una storia italiana, Silvio, Berlusconi, 2001, Mondadori, WEB,www.repubblica.it/online/politica/campagnacinque/libro/libro.html, la Repubblica/politica: Berlusconi: ‘La mia biografia in tutte le famiglie italiane’, la Repubblica,
BOOK, Il sangue di Abele. Vivi per testimoniare (preface by Silvio Berlusconi), Zef, Pllumi, 2013, Diana edizioni, Zef Pllumi, BOOK,www.amazon.it/Sangue-Abele-Vivi-testimoniare-ebook/dp/B009EDKZP4, Il Sangue di Abele â€“ Vivi per testimoniare Formato Kindle, it,

Honours and awards

{{flagu|Italy}}: Knight of the Order of Merit for Labour (1977WEB,www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato%3D632, Cavaliere del Lavoro, 27 October 2012, live,www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=632," title="web.archive.org/web/20120117015417www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=632,">web.archive.org/web/20120117015417www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=632, 17 January 2012, â€“ website of the Italian Presidentâ€“2014); Berlusconi voluntarily resigned from this order on 18 March 2014.NEWS,uk.reuters.com/article/uk-italy-berlusconi-idUKBREA2I1X120140319/, Reuters, Convicted Berlusconi relinquishes ‘Knight of Labour’ title, 19 March 2014,uk.reuters.com/article/2014/03/19/uk-italy-berlusconi-idUKBREA2I1X120140319," title="web.archive.org/web/20140323164142uk.reuters.com/article/2014/03/19/uk-italy-berlusconi-idUKBREA2I1X120140319,">web.archive.org/web/20140323164142uk.reuters.com/article/2014/03/19/uk-italy-berlusconi-idUKBREA2I1X120140319, 23 March 2014,
{{flagu|Austria}}: Grand Decoration in Gold with Sash of the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria (2002)WEB, Anfragebeantwortung,www.parlament.gv.at/dokument/XXIV/AB/10542/imfname_251156.pdf, 16 September 2023, parlament.gv.at, de,
{{flagu|Holy See}}: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Pius IX (2005)WEB, La Gran Croce dell’Ordine Piano,www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/2006/gennaio%202006.pdf, vatican.va, Acta Apostolicae Sedis, 11 February 2022, 2006,
{{flagu|Portugal}}: Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry (31 January 2005)WEB,www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154&list=1, ENTIDADES ESTRANGEIRAS AGRACIADAS COM ORDENS PORTUGUESAS â€“ PÃ¡gina Oficial das Ordens HonorÃficas Portuguesas,
{{flagu|Poland}}: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (2002)M.P. 2002 nr 18 poz. 320 â€“ ISAP, website of the Polish government {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130322175646isap.sejm.gov.pl/DetailsServlet?id=WMP20020180320 |date=22 March 2013 }}
{{flagu|Latvia}}: Grand Officer of the Order of the Three Stars (2005)List of recipients of the Order of the Three Stars since 2004 (.doc file) â€“ website of the Latvian president {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502004044www.president.lv/images/modules/items/PDF/20120528_tzo_registrs_majaslapa.doc |date=2 May 2013 }}
{{flagcountry|Libyan Arab Jamahiriya}}: Recipient of the Al-Fateh Medal (2009)WEB,global.ilmanifesto.it/new-book-puts-the-lie-to-the-story-that-italians-were-the-friendly-colonizers/, New book puts the lie to the myth that Italians were the ‘friendly colonizers’, 23 December 2019,
{{flagu|Bulgaria}}: Grand Cross of the Order of the Balkan Mountains (15 October 2009)WEB,www.novinite.com/articles/108941/Italian+PM+Berlusconi%3A+My+Sympathy+for+Bulgaria+Turned+into+Love, Italian PM Berlusconi: My Sympathy for Bulgaria Turned into Love â€“ Novinite.com â€“ Sofia News Agency, novinite.com,
{{flagu|Malta}}: Honorary Companion of Honour of the National Order of Merit (2004)WEB,opm.gov.mt/en/Documents/Past%20recipients%20of%20Honorary%20honours_awards.pdf,opm.gov.mt/en/Documents/Past%20recipients%20of%20Honorary%20honours_awards.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20160304212501opm.gov.mt/en/Documents/Past%20recipients%20of%20Honorary%20honours_awards.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20160304212501opm.gov.mt/en/Documents/Past%20recipients%20of%20Honorary%20honours_awards.pdf, Past recipients of honorary membership in Maltese honours and awards and date of conferment, dead, 4 March 2016, 4 March 2016, 6 October 2019,
{{flagu|Norway}}: Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit (2001)WEB,www.ilgiornale.it/news/interni/ecco-perch-berlusconi-resta-comunque-cavaliere-1003567.html, Ecco perchÃ© Berlusconi resta comunque Cavaliere, 21 March 2014,
{{flagu|Romania}}: Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Romania (2002)Recipients of the order (Excel sheet) â€“ website of the Presidency of Romania {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328054109canord.presidency.ro/Ord.St.Rom..xls |date=28 March 2014 }}
{{flagu|Saudi Arabia}}: Member 1st Class of the Order of Abdulaziz al Saud (22 November 2009)Italia-Arabia/A Berlusconi la piÃ¹ alta onorificenza reale saudita â€“ website ilcittadinomb.it {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921153519www.ilcittadinomb.it/stories/Cronaca/187567/ |date=21 September 2013 }}
{{flagicon image|Flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (1738).svg}} House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies: Knight Grand Cross of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George

In films

Documentaries

Citizen Berlusconi â€“ The Prime Minister and the Press, 2003 (directed by Andrea Cairola and Susan Gray)WEB,www.internazionale.it/pagine/dvd/citizen.html,www.internazionale.it/pagine/dvd/citizen.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20040323051802www.internazionale.it/pagine/dvd/citizen.html,">web.archive.org/web/20040323051802www.internazionale.it/pagine/dvd/citizen.html, 23 March 2004, Internazionale,
Viva Zapatero!, directed by Sabina Guzzanti, 2005NEWS,elpais.com/diario/2004/02/04/espana/1075849212_850215.html, Zapatero elige un ‘comitÃ© de sabios’ para diseÃ±ar el modelo de televisiÃ³n pÃºblica, El PaÃs, 4 February 2004, DÃez, Anabel,
{{ill|Quando c’era Silvio|it|italic=y}}, documentary film directed by Beppe Cremagnani and Enrico Deaglio, 2005WEB,www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Politica/2006/01_Gennaio/17/vecchi.shtml, Corriere della Sera â€“ Affari sospetti, Deaglio gira la Silvio-story,

Feature films

Draquila â€“ L’Italia che trema (directed by Sabina Guzzanti, Cannes Film Festival, 2010)NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2010/may/09/silvio-berlusconi-cannes-sandro-bondi, Silvio Berlusconi documentary row leads to Italian MP snubbing Cannes, The Guardian, 9 May 2010, Winward, Fiona,
Videocracy (directed by Erik Gandini, 2009)WEB,www.atmo.se/film-and-tv/videocracy/, Videocracy / ATMO independent film- and TV productions, 12 November 2009,atmo.se/film-and-tv/videocracy/," title="web.archive.org/web/20131215112238atmo.se/film-and-tv/videocracy/,">web.archive.org/web/20131215112238atmo.se/film-and-tv/videocracy/, 15 December 2013,
“Bye Bye Berlusconi!/Buonanotte Topolino“WEB,variety.com/2006/film/news/italians-bid-bye-bye-1200335221/, Italians bid ‘Bye Bye’, 23 April 2006,
Il Caimano (directed by Nanni Moretti, 2006)WEB,www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/berlusconis-conviction-predicted-2006-film-574139/, Berlusconi’s Conviction ‘Predicted’ in 2006 Film ‘The Caiman’ (Video), The Hollywood Reporter, 24 June 2013,
Shooting Silvio (directed by Berardo Carboni)WEB,www.repubblica.it/2009/04/sezioni/politica/shooting-silvio/shooting-silvio/shooting-silvio.html, Sky manda in onda ‘Shooting Silvio’ PDL all’attacco della tv di Murdoch â€“ Politica â€“ Repubblica.it,
Loro (directed by Paolo Sorrentino, 2018)WEB,variety.com/2018/film/news/paolo-sorrentino-loro-berlusconi-themed-loro-distribution-box-office-1202830572/, Paolo Sorrentino’s ‘Loro’ Ends Unusual Two-Part Distribution Experiment, 6 June 2018,

References

External links

{{Britannica|62274|Silvio-Berlusconi}}
{{treccani|silvio-berlusconi|Silvio Berlusconi}}
Profile: Silvio Berlusconi, BBC
BBC News Europe: Berlusconi in his own words
Forza Italia, Berlusconi’s political movement; click on International for an English version. {{in lang|en|it}}
A popular www.giannivattimo.it/menu/libro_berl.html" title="web.archive.org/web/20030801185811www.giannivattimo.it/menu/libro_berl.html">paper spread among the members of the European Parliament about Berlusconi’s life chronology, mysteries and trials (by Marco Travaglio and Peter Gomez) {{in lang|en|it}}
{{C-SPAN}}

{{Silvio Berlusconi}}{{Prime ministers of Italy}}{{Navboxes| title = Silvio Berlusconi| titlestyle = style="background:#eee;| list ={{Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs}}{{Berlusconi I Cabinet}}{{Berlusconi II Cabinet}}{{Berlusconi III Cabinet}}{{Berlusconi IV Cabinet}}{{Presidents of the European Council}}{{Current EP Italy}}{{International Emmy Directorate Award}}{{EP Political Group EPP}}{{Italian Football Hall of Fame}}}}{{Conservatism navbox}}{{Authority control}}

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Silvio Berlusconi

Family background and personal life

Business career

Milano Due

TeleMilano

Fininvest

Political career

Beginnings

1994 electoral victory

Fall of the Berlusconi I Cabinet

2001 electoral victory

Berlusconi II Cabinet

Subsequent elections

Berlusconi III Cabinet

Attempt to reform the Italian constitution

2006 general election and opposition

2008 electoral victory

The People of Freedom split

Resignation

2013 general election

Refoundation of Forza Italia and public office ban

Political comeback and election to European Parliament and Senate

Foreign policy

Relations with Russia

Relations with Israel

Relations with Belarus

Cooperation with the Western Balkans

Relations with Libya

Berlusconism

Political positions

Comparisons to other leaders

Legal problems

Controversies

Economic conflicts of interest

Media control and conflict of interest

The Economist

Legislative changes

Accusations of links to the Mafia

Remarks on Western civilisation and Islam

Right-to-die case

Anti-immigration laws

Jokes, gestures, and blunders

Friendship with Bettino Craxi

Freedom Army

Wiretaps and accusations of corruption

Divorce and allegations of sexual misconduct

Shots of Porto Rotondo

Rubygate

Panama Papers

Health

Death

Personal fortune

Electoral history{|class“wikitable”

First-past-the-post elections{| classwikitable styletext-align:right

Works by Silvio Berlusconi

Honours and awards

In films

Documentaries

Feature films

See also

References

Further reading

External links