A sad day! Silvio is dead!

[alhoon]

Today June 12th, Silvio Berlusconi, the controversial Prime Minister of Italy, died in Milan from complications of Leukemia.

Silvio Berlusconi had many vices. He was not exactly a good example for a leader. However, millions of people supported him and he was instrumental in Italian politics for the past 30 years as a prime minister or a strong partner in government coalitions. With most of the political world in Italy fighting to keep him out of politics, Silvio persevered. Silvio is survived by his 5 legitimate children and who knows how many bastards. Italy would have a national day of mourning over Silvio and he will receive a state funeral.

The passing of a 86 years old man that has lived the life of Silvio Berlusconi is not exactly surprising and his death will probably not shake the Italian government coalition although it will make things harder for them in the next elections. Silvio was a force to be reconned with.

My condolences to the Italians that supported this (admittedly populist rightwing bordering on far-right) politicians. My condolences to all trolls as it is a sad day for us. My condolences to all other billionaire populist far-right leaders that are facing huge controversies and are on trial for things they absolutely did.

[Kyriakos]

Well, he wasn't exactly young. 86 is past the average male lifespan

[alhoon]

Well, he wasn't exactly young. 86 is past the average male lifespan

Not for 21st century billionaires that are not Russian Oligarchs!

[Gigantus]

He was a good looking 86 year old and he will be missed, one way or the other.

[Alastor]

Il Cavaliere is a chapter of Italian history all by himself. For his vim and the colour he brought to Italian (and European) public life he'll be missed. For his moral integrity, scruples and efficacy as PM maybe not so much.

[Flinn]

I wish you could have seen the Italian TV yesterday night.. I mean, there hasn't been one single journalist who did make a honest analysis on him. One side, all the apologetic crap, calling him the "savior of Italy" and the "bastion against Communism", the other side the completely blind hatred of those who suffered form his ego and despotic management of media. In all fairness, doing a full recount on such a controversial character is pretty impossible, his tentacles reached everywhere (and this already says a lot about the man), but I'm pretty sure that those who loved him, did so with reason, and the same is true for those who hated him.

One thing is certain, for over 2 decades he represented a part of Italy, a way of being Italian, which many deny (especially within Italy itself), but that was often prevalent, included in the political life. But the truth is that someone had to be voting him for so long, and that many hoped, and still hope, to become one day like a little Berlusconi.

As for me, I loved his complete lack of any filter and his disinterest of the opinion people had of him (at the least in the last part of his life).. honestly, seeing him disrespecting all those "great leaders", which usually treated Italy and Italian leaders as secondary, was a change for the best, in a country of servants and arse licker.

Go on Silvio, teach Beelzebub how to party hard.

[Maximinus Thrax]

The bunga bunga events, probably the best orgies with prostitutes since the end of the Italian Renaissance. He will be missed.

[Turkafinwë]

Goodnight sweet Prince! The end of an Age!

[alhoon]

I wish you could have seen the Italian TV yesterday night.. I mean, there hasn't been one single journalist who did make a honest analysis on him. One side, all the apologetic crap, calling him the "savior of Italy" and the "bastion against Communism", the other side the completely blind hatred of those who suffered form his ego and despotic management of media. In all fairness, doing a full recount on such a controversial character is pretty impossible, his tentacles reached everywhere (and this already says a lot about the man), but I'm pretty sure that those who loved him, did so with reason, and the same is true for those who hated him.

One thing is certain, for over 2 decades he represented a part of Italy, a way of being Italian, which many deny (especially within Italy itself), but that was often prevalent, included in the political life. But the truth is that someone had to be voting him for so long, and that many hoped, and still hope, to become one day like a little Berlusconi.

As for me, I loved his complete lack of any filter and his disinterest of the opinion people had of him (at the least in the last part of his life).. honestly, seeing him disrespecting all those "great leaders", which usually treated Italy and Italian leaders as secondary, was a change for the best, in a country of servants and arse licker.

Go on Silvio, teach Beelzebub how to party hard.

It is 3 decades, Flinn.

I loved Silvio ... without reason. Mostly because he was hilarious and rude. He was a troll but, at least in the news that reached me, not a malignant angry troll like Trump, but a funny one. Even his sex scandals were more interesting that Trump's.

[Kyriakos]

He was funny, but I haven't followed him. Only saw a couple of his moments, like comparing the then german head of the Eu parliament to an SS officer (or similar)

[Flinn]

He compared him to a Kapo, which was worse actually.. the Kapo (or Kapò) was "(German: Funktionshäftling) was a prisoner in a Nazi camp who was assigned by the Schutzstaffel (SS) guards to supervise forced labor or carry out administrative tasks."
In most cases it was a negative figure, seen as a traitor of his people.

It is 3 decades, Flinn.

I loved Silvio ... without reason. Mostly because he was hilarious and rude. He was a troll but, at least in the news that reached me, not a malignant angry troll like Trump, but a funny one. Even his sex scandals were more interesting that Trump's.

It was almost 3 decades indeed, even though IMO his real political power ended in 2011.

[alhoon]

It was almost 3 decades indeed, even though IMO his real political power ended in 2011.

It certainly lessened but his party got in the senate and he was, IIRC second in Maloni's coalition. I doubt Maloni can win again without Silvio sleek charisma after the usual erosion that ruling parties endure.

[Flinn]

It's Meloni

And Forza Italia is the 3rd party, the second one is Lega.

Anyways, I'm referring to when he resigned in 2011; after that he hasn't been "at the government" until 2021. Sure he remained as a political figure, but the power he still had was from his own persona, not from his political relevance.

this is him on Friday, man he was really busted

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Alastor]

It's Meloni

Indeed, it's easy to remember, an obvious reference to her... female qualities.

Anyway, today is the funeral:
https://www.politico.eu/article/ital...onal-mourning/
So RIP Silvio.

[Flinn]

Anyway, today is the funeral:
https://www.politico.eu/article/ital...onal-mourning/
So RIP Silvio.

I'm frankly surprised that no one complained about the State funeral.. I mean, that's technically correct, but considering how many haters he had in the press, that's strange I guess the "seal of approval" received by President Mattarella shut more than one mouth.

Indeed, RIP Mr President.

[Flinn]

Live funeral, in case one is interested

[Maximinus Thrax]

At the height of his power he was like a king in all but name.

[Flinn]

At the height of his power he was like a king in all but name.

We have a little problem, but a very little one eh, with conflict of interests, in my beloved country..

[Roma_Victrix]

Berlusconi was most certainly not a saint, and did some typically corrupt stuff, but I'll be goddamned if he wasn't the most hilarious politician to have existed in modern times. RIP.
Pour some Italian wine out for your homie, Berlusconi!

[Maximinus Thrax]