In Italian politics, 85 is considered young: Berlusconi decided to run in the elections

A three-time prime minister, Berlusconi has disappeared from the public scene in recent years due to a combination of poor health, questionable affairs and a conviction for tax fraud.

Now he wants to return "so that everyone is happy"

news agencies

08/16/2022

Tuesday, August 16, 2022, 5:32 p.m. Updated: 5:48 p.m.

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At the age of 85, Silvio Berlusconi, who served as Prime Minister of Italy three times, decided to run for re-election.

"So that everyone is happy," he told the Rai radio station.

To the "Politico" website, he said that the comeback at an age when most people want to rest, is a result of his sense of "commitment".

Italy needs the values ​​that only his party represents in order to bring about economic growth, he said.

"My parents taught me that if I feel a strong sense of obligation to do something, I must find the courage to do it," he added.

Italy is gearing up for elections on September 25 after the collapse of Mario Draghi's coalition last month.

In recent years, Berlusconi has disappeared from the public arena after dominating politics and the media for two decades.

His image was destroyed by the "Bunga Bunga" affair, which according to witnesses involved orgies at his luxury villa outside Milan.

In 2011, the country's deep debt crisis forced him to give up power in favor of Mario Monti.

In addition, several complaints were filed against him and in 2013 he was removed from the Senate following a conviction for tax fraud.

This is in addition to a weak state of health.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi (Photo: GettyImages)

However, the strengthening of nationalist populism in the last decade provided him with an opportunity to return to politics in the role of the responsible adult who supports the European Union.

Berlusconi was elected to the European Parliament in 2019.

Last year he joined the ruling coalition of Draghi, the former president of the European Central Bank.

But last month Berlusconi decided to abandon Draghi's coalition with other parties - which led to Draghi's retirement and the calling of snap elections in September.

According to Berlusconi, he had no involvement in the collapse of the government.

"We would have preferred the Draghi government to continue until its natural end in the 2023 elections. But this was not possible due to the irresponsible behavior of the Five Star Movement and the Democrats. There is no other option except to return the vote to the people," he said.

Although Berlusconi's party does not receive the great support it did in the past: in 2008, it garnered 37% of the vote, and in updated polls it receives 8%.

But a right-wing coalition of Forza Italia, the League led by Matteo Salvini, who opposes immigration, and Giorgio Maloney's Brothers of Italy party, may win 45% of the vote, which would be enough to secure a majority in parliament.

Giorgia Maloney "Mussolini's successor" (Photo: GettyImages)

Berlusconi on a TV talk show (Photo: Reuters)

In addition to the Italian people, Berlusconi and his colleagues will also have to convince credit rating agencies, bond traders and European governments that Italy's most right-wing government since World War II poses no threat to democracy and Italy's membership in the European Union and NATO.

One reason for concern is the good relations of the Italian right with extreme right-wing parties such as the Spanish Vox and with authoritarian regimes such as that of Viktor Orban in Hungary and Vladimir Putin in Russia.

Berlusconi and Putin are old friends.

Putin even lived in Berlusconi's dacha.

Berlusconi has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but told "Politico" that "Today, Russia violated international law by attacking Ukraine and brought a painful war to the heart of Europe."

He added that he is disappointed with Putin.

According to him, "Our party is pro-Europe and pro-NATO, with liberal democracy guiding us."

More in Walla!

Italy asked the Prime Minister not to resign

To the full article

A voter in the 2018 elections (Photo: Reuters, Reuters)

Berlusconi also said that he is not interested in serving as president of Italy, contrary to the claims of his opponents.

Another position that might appeal to him is Senate President.

However, according to commentators, even if he does not hold an official position, Berlusconi may still find himself after the elections in September as the decisive and necessary voice for the survival of a coalition.

His party, which places itself in the political center, may be the only party that can support a right-wing coalition or change its mind and support a left-wing government, without paying a heavy price among the voters.

"He is indispensable. In the center he can play many games. He can remain relevant for the next five years," Daniel Albertazzi, a professor at the University of Surrey, told Politico.

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