Premier Giorgia Meloni, President
Sergio Mattarella and Pope Francis led the tributes to Silvio
Berlusconi after the long-dominant figure in Italian politics
died on Monday.
Meloni described the leader of government coalition partner
Forza Italia (FI) as one of the most influential figures in the
history of Italy.
"Silvio Berlusconi was above all a fighter, he was a man who was
never afraid to stand up for his convictions, and it was exactly
that courage and determination that made him one of the most
influential men in the history of Italy," said Meloni in a video
message, hailing his "real breakthroughs in the world of
politics, communication and business".
"With him, Italy learned that it never had to have limits
imposed on it. It learned that it never had to give up.
"With him we fought, won, lost many battles. And also for him we
will achieve the goals that we set together. Goodbye Silvio,"
she added.
Meloni also said the rightwing-centre-right alliance "owe it to
Berlusconi not to squabble" now that his moderating influence is
no longer there, and recalled his many phone calls, including
his last, praising her for the good job she is doing as Italy's
first woman premier.
"I think we owe it to him. I am very proud of the fact that
Berlusconi saw another centre-right government, that he
contributed to that centre-right government. That too was one of
his many great legacies and clearly for us today this is an
extra responsibility and not an easy one, because for better or
worse he was not only the glue but also the one among us who had
the most experience," said Meloni, in an interview with
Berlusconi flagship news programme Tg5 to be aired Monday
evening, responding to editor Clemente Mimun who asked whether
without Berlusconi the centre right will manage not to quarrel.
She went on: "Having him, being able to talk to him was an
element that calmed you in so many things," she told TG5 in an
the interview to be aired Monday night.
"He had been there before and had done well. I'm also very proud
of the fact that lately, above all, he often called me and told
me 'you're working well'.
"And it wasn't easy, really, for a man with so much experience.
And even in the last phone call that we had he told me: 'Listen
I want to tell you that I'm very proud of the job you're doing,
of how you're doing it'."
Mattarella said Berlusconi was "a great political leader who
made a mark on the history of our Republic, having an impact on
paradigms, customs and language...
"Berlusconi's leadership contributed to shaping a new political
geography in Italy, enabling him to take the role of premier
four times," the head of State said.
"He addressed events of a global scale in this role, such as the
crisis caused by the attack on the Twin Tower, the fight against
international terrorism and the financial turbulence at the end
of the first decade of the new century.
"He gradually integrated the political movement he founded into
the European People's Party family, contributing to continuing
the pro-Atlantic alliance, pro-Europe position of our Republic.
"He was a person equipped with great humanity and a businessman
of success, an innovator in his field.
"He conquered positions of great importance in the television
industry and in the media sector well before his direct
engagement in the institutions.
"He was the architect of important success in the world of
Italian sport".
Pope Francis, who is in hospital after abdominal surgery last
week, said Berlusconi was an energetic protagonist of political
life
The Vatican said the pope had sent a telegram of condolences to
Berlusconi's family voicing "heartfelt participation in the
mourning for the loss of a protagonist of Italian political
life, who held public responsibilities with energetic
temperament.
"His Holiness," the telegram stressed, "invokes from the Lord
eternal peace for him and consolation of heart for those who
mourn his passing. I join in the condolences with fervent
remembrance in prayer".
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday sent a message of
condolence to his Italian counterpart Mattarella, describing the
late former premier and billionaire businessman as "a dear
person and a true friend".
Silvio Berlusconi made "an invaluable contribution to the
development of the mutually beneficial partnership between Italy
and Russia," Putin added.
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