‘Fighter’: How is the world remembering Italy’s Berlusconi?

World
By William

Silvio Berlusconi, former prime minister and business magnate of Italy, has died in Milan at the age of 86.

Politicians, sports icons and world leaders pay tribute to the flamboyant figure who transformed Italian politics and was widely known for his financial and sex scandals.

‘A true friend’: Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin called Berlusconi his “dear, wise friend.”

“For me, Silvio was a dear person, a true friend. I have always truly admired his wisdom, his ability to make balanced, foresighted decisions even in the most difficult situations,” Putin said.

According to a leaked recording, Berlusconi said in October that he had reconnected with Putin, exchanging wine, vodka and “sweet” letters on his birthday.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Berlusconi had suggested Kiev was responsible for the invasion launched by Russia in February 2022 and admonished Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

‘Great fighter’: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban

Hungary’s populist prime minister Viktor Orban said in a tweet: “Gone is the great warrior.”

‘A man who was not afraid’: Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni

Italy’s Prime Minister bid farewell to Berlusconi in a video message, saying: “Above all, Berlusconi was a fighter.”

“He was a man who was not afraid to defend his beliefs, and it was that courage and determination that made him one of the most influential men in the history of Italy,” Meloni said.

‘A great Italian’: Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini

Matteo Salvini, Italy’s deputy prime minister, called Berlusconi “a great man and a great Italian”.

“Today a GREAT ITALIAN says goodbye to us. One of the greatest ever, in all areas, from all points of view, without equal. But most of all I lose a good friend today. I am devastated and I rarely cry, today is such a day,” he said in a statement.

‘Many loved him, many hated him’: Italy’s former Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi

Matteo Renzi, former Italian Prime Minister and leader of the liberal political party Italia Viva, said in a tweet: “Silvio Berlusconi has made history in this country. Many loved him, many hated him.”

“Everyone must recognize today that his impact on political but also on economic, sporting and television life was unprecedented,” he added.

‘An era is over’: Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Berlusconi’s death “leaves a huge void because he was great”.

“An era has passed, an era is coming to an end,” he added.

‘An ironic, loyal, intelligent, sincere man’: Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti, manager of the Real Madrid football club, said: “Today’s sadness does not erase the happy moments we spent together. There remains an infinite gratitude to the president, but above all to an ironic, loyal, intelligent, sincere man , fundamental in my adventure as a footballer, first and then as a coach.”

Ancelotti won the Champions League as AC Milan coach when the club was owned by Berlusconi.

‘Won’t be forgotten’: President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, referred to Berlusconi as “the fighter who led the centre-right and was the protagonist of politics in Italy and Europe for generations”.

“Father, entrepreneur, MEP, prime minister, senator. He left his mark and will not be forgotten. Thank you Silvio,” she said in a tweet.

‘Enthusiastic politician’: Prime Minister Mark Rutte

Prime Minister Mark Rutte said: “Italy has lost a great personality.”

“He was the first Italian Prime Minister I worked with, and I will remember him as a striking and passionate politician,” he said in a tweet.

‘A good friend’: Former Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša

A former Prime Minister of Slovenia, Janez Janša, expressed his condolences to the Italian leader, calling him a “good friend of Slovenia”.

‘Unforgettable’: AC Milan

AC Milan, the football club that owned Berlusconi from 1986 to 2017, said they were “deeply saddened” at the loss of the 86-year-old, describing him as “unforgettable”.

“Tomorrow we will dream of new ambitions, create new challenges and seek new victories. That will represent the good, the strong and the true that lies within us, in all of us who shared this adventure to commit our lives to a dream called Milan,” the club said on Twitter.

‘Charming and engaging company’: Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen

Former NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen offered his condolences to Berlusconi, saying that while they had their political differences, on a personal level he was “always charming and engaging company.”

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