Silvio Berlusconi, former Italian prime minister, dies at 86
NBCJun 04, 2023
The Facts
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who led three governments between 1994 and 2011, has died at the age of 86 at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan.
Berlusconi, who had continued to be a senator and leader of the Forza Italia party, had been discharged from the hospital last month after being treated by his personal physician during a multi-day visit.
The Spin
Right narrative
Berlusconi was undoubtedly controversial, but his boastful nature — the "Trump before Trumpism" — paved the way to the longest combined Prime Minister career in Italy since World War II. Even as a billionaire with a lavish lifestyle, he gave regular Italians a voice when their establishment politicians were tone-deaf. While his personal life wasn't without blemishes, no one can deny his popularity and lasting impact on the Italian polity.
Left narrative
While Berlusconi may be gone now, his legacy and revival of right-wing populism can still be witnessed everywhere. Italy's new regime has further shifted the country right, making his years in power comparatively moderate, but his proto-Trumpism must not be forgotten. Unfortunately, it is thanks to Berlusconi that corruption, hypocrisy, and cynical governance have infected modern politics.
