As a new musical about him opens in London, the former Italian Prime Minister has gone from ridicule to looking like a trailblazer for populists the world over.
In order to achieve commercial success, the musical inevitably offers a partial vision of what Berlusconi represented, favoring the sensationalistic aspect and postponing the positive effects to Italian families, from an economic point of view too, of his entrepreneurial success. Were it up to his detractors, Italians would still be at TV primitive level for years.
Personally I have never been ashamed of Berlusconi. Human weaknesses will be judged by God, certainly tons of mud have been thrown on Berlusconi, as dishonest behavior were others.
I haven't seen the show but I'm thinking that there will be many who go in the smugness that thank God they don't have such a leader. But (and I'm no fan of Berlusconi) he had Bunga Bunga while they destroyed Libya which Berlusconi didn't want. Without such recklessness we wouldn't have the refugee crisis that we have in the Mediterranean. Also Syria was not rightly so black and white for him saying all Syria's enemies are not our friends. The real truth about Syria is still to come out. Also had he been prime minister perhaps the Ukrainian situation may never have got to where it is today. So while we laugh at Bunga Bunga, his hair transplant, gaffs and pretty girlfriend's his foreign policy and caring about Italy was a damm sight better than many reverted politicians who do the bidding of foreign interests. So for me the musical no matter how it is means we never took him seriously.
You also said: "In most Western democracies a leading politician would not be allowed to control such huge parts of the media due to the obvious conflict of interests".
Let me clarify two points: 1) Berlusconi was NOT yet a politician, but he already controlled the Mediaset when he entered politics, and Italian people who voted him knew that very well;
2) You might ignore, due to your young age (I mean that you probably were a teenager when the things happened), so you were not experiencing what happened during those years, although you sure learnt later. You know about "Mani Pulite", right? And you sure know that "thanks" to Ilda Bocassini, Gherardo Colombo, Antonio di Pietro, Piercamillo Davigo & compagni, the Italian establishment and all political parties were ousted. The only exceptions were the Communist party (PCI) and the rightist MSI. The reason why MSI was spared was that this party was never part of any government, thus not accountable of any wrongdoing. The only survivor was the Communist Party, which, as you know, was under direct political and financial control of Moscow. The only destiny for Italy was to join Warsaw Pact and to become part of Iron Curtain. Let's not forget that it was 1992/1994, and Soviet Union was still a reality (although in its final days). What Berlusconi did, was, thanks also to his TV, to ask the anti-communist parties to join the forces, forget the differences and create a strong block against the Communist Party, otherwise he could enter politics creating a new block (what he did). His prayers went ignored, so he had no other choice, but to enter politics. He did it and won the elections. In my opinion, he saved Italy from becoming a satellite of URSS.
If he had not such a powerful tool like TV, he might have not achieved what he did.
From 1994, just months after Berlusconi became Prime Minister for the first time. "A populist who campaigned against Government corruption and inflation has scored an overwhelming victory" "Mr. Lukashenko, former director of a state farm, has no party affiliation and campaigned as a man from outside the state structures"
You also said: "In most Western democracies a leading politician would not be allowed to control such huge parts of the media due to the obvious conflict of interests".
Let me clarify two points: 1) Berlusconi was NOT yet a politician, but he already controlled the Mediaset when he entered politics, and Italian people who voted him knew that very well;
2) You might ignore, due to your young age (I mean that you probably were a teenager when the things happened), so you were not experiencing what happened during those years, although you sure learnt later. You know about "Mani Pulite", right? And you sure know that "thanks" to Ilda Bocassini, Gherardo Colombo, Antonio di Pietro, Piercamillo Davigo & compagni, the Italian establishment and all political parties were ousted. The only exceptions were the Communist party (PCI) and the rightist MSI. The reason why MSI was spared was that this party was never part of any government, thus not accountable of any wrongdoing. The only survivor was the Communist Party, which, as you know, was under direct political and financial control of Moscow. The only destiny for Italy was to join Warsaw Pact and to become part of Iron Curtain. Let's not forget that it was 1992/1994, and Soviet Union was still a reality (although in its final days). What Berlusconi did, was, thanks also to his TV, to ask the anti-communist parties to join the forces, forget the differences and create a strong block against the Communist Party, otherwise he could enter politics creating a new block (what he did). His prayers went ignored, so he had no other choice, but to enter politics. He did it and won the elections. In my opinion, he saved Italy from becoming a satellite of URSS.
If he had not such a powerful tool like TV, he might have not achieved what he did.
as a fan of Al Jazeera, especially when Barbara Serra was on "duty", let me say that I have not any prejudice against you. But, let me tell you that reading about the musical on Berlusconi, I am deeply disappointed about what you say. You said that you felt "the ridicule I endured as an Italian in the UK during the years of the Berlusconi scandal". Let me tell you that I, being Italian as you are, I never felt so proud in my life (I'm 78 years old, almost the same years as Italian democracy) like having such a Prime Minister as Berlusconi. I never minded about his private life: I voted for him because what he could do and what he did for our Country. And, please, let's not forget that he was voted by the majority of Italian voters for 4 times (despite the Bunga Bunga). And that's what is called DEMOCRACY: the will of the majority, like it or not. And just to add my final to this letter, he was the ONLY head of government able to be in charge for the full mandate: 5 years (during 77 years of democracy)!
In order to achieve commercial success, the musical inevitably offers a partial vision of what Berlusconi represented, favoring the sensationalistic aspect and postponing the positive effects to Italian families, from an economic point of view too, of his entrepreneurial success. Were it up to his detractors, Italians would still be at TV primitive level for years.
Personally I have never been ashamed of Berlusconi. Human weaknesses will be judged by God, certainly tons of mud have been thrown on Berlusconi, as dishonest behavior were others.
I haven't seen the show but I'm thinking that there will be many who go in the smugness that thank God they don't have such a leader. But (and I'm no fan of Berlusconi) he had Bunga Bunga while they destroyed Libya which Berlusconi didn't want. Without such recklessness we wouldn't have the refugee crisis that we have in the Mediterranean. Also Syria was not rightly so black and white for him saying all Syria's enemies are not our friends. The real truth about Syria is still to come out. Also had he been prime minister perhaps the Ukrainian situation may never have got to where it is today. So while we laugh at Bunga Bunga, his hair transplant, gaffs and pretty girlfriend's his foreign policy and caring about Italy was a damm sight better than many reverted politicians who do the bidding of foreign interests. So for me the musical no matter how it is means we never took him seriously.
Dear Ms. Serra,
You also said: "In most Western democracies a leading politician would not be allowed to control such huge parts of the media due to the obvious conflict of interests".
Let me clarify two points: 1) Berlusconi was NOT yet a politician, but he already controlled the Mediaset when he entered politics, and Italian people who voted him knew that very well;
2) You might ignore, due to your young age (I mean that you probably were a teenager when the things happened), so you were not experiencing what happened during those years, although you sure learnt later. You know about "Mani Pulite", right? And you sure know that "thanks" to Ilda Bocassini, Gherardo Colombo, Antonio di Pietro, Piercamillo Davigo & compagni, the Italian establishment and all political parties were ousted. The only exceptions were the Communist party (PCI) and the rightist MSI. The reason why MSI was spared was that this party was never part of any government, thus not accountable of any wrongdoing. The only survivor was the Communist Party, which, as you know, was under direct political and financial control of Moscow. The only destiny for Italy was to join Warsaw Pact and to become part of Iron Curtain. Let's not forget that it was 1992/1994, and Soviet Union was still a reality (although in its final days). What Berlusconi did, was, thanks also to his TV, to ask the anti-communist parties to join the forces, forget the differences and create a strong block against the Communist Party, otherwise he could enter politics creating a new block (what he did). His prayers went ignored, so he had no other choice, but to enter politics. He did it and won the elections. In my opinion, he saved Italy from becoming a satellite of URSS.
If he had not such a powerful tool like TV, he might have not achieved what he did.
Best regards.
From 1994, just months after Berlusconi became Prime Minister for the first time. "A populist who campaigned against Government corruption and inflation has scored an overwhelming victory" "Mr. Lukashenko, former director of a state farm, has no party affiliation and campaigned as a man from outside the state structures"
https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/11/world/populist-in-belarus-sweeps-to-a-presidential-victory.html
Dear Ms. Serra,
You also said: "In most Western democracies a leading politician would not be allowed to control such huge parts of the media due to the obvious conflict of interests".
Let me clarify two points: 1) Berlusconi was NOT yet a politician, but he already controlled the Mediaset when he entered politics, and Italian people who voted him knew that very well;
2) You might ignore, due to your young age (I mean that you probably were a teenager when the things happened), so you were not experiencing what happened during those years, although you sure learnt later. You know about "Mani Pulite", right? And you sure know that "thanks" to Ilda Bocassini, Gherardo Colombo, Antonio di Pietro, Piercamillo Davigo & compagni, the Italian establishment and all political parties were ousted. The only exceptions were the Communist party (PCI) and the rightist MSI. The reason why MSI was spared was that this party was never part of any government, thus not accountable of any wrongdoing. The only survivor was the Communist Party, which, as you know, was under direct political and financial control of Moscow. The only destiny for Italy was to join Warsaw Pact and to become part of Iron Curtain. Let's not forget that it was 1992/1994, and Soviet Union was still a reality (although in its final days). What Berlusconi did, was, thanks also to his TV, to ask the anti-communist parties to join the forces, forget the differences and create a strong block against the Communist Party, otherwise he could enter politics creating a new block (what he did). His prayers went ignored, so he had no other choice, but to enter politics. He did it and won the elections. In my opinion, he saved Italy from becoming a satellite of URSS.
If he had not such a powerful tool like TV, he might have not achieved what he did.
Best regards.
Dear Mrs. Serra,
as a fan of Al Jazeera, especially when Barbara Serra was on "duty", let me say that I have not any prejudice against you. But, let me tell you that reading about the musical on Berlusconi, I am deeply disappointed about what you say. You said that you felt "the ridicule I endured as an Italian in the UK during the years of the Berlusconi scandal". Let me tell you that I, being Italian as you are, I never felt so proud in my life (I'm 78 years old, almost the same years as Italian democracy) like having such a Prime Minister as Berlusconi. I never minded about his private life: I voted for him because what he could do and what he did for our Country. And, please, let's not forget that he was voted by the majority of Italian voters for 4 times (despite the Bunga Bunga). And that's what is called DEMOCRACY: the will of the majority, like it or not. And just to add my final to this letter, he was the ONLY head of government able to be in charge for the full mandate: 5 years (during 77 years of democracy)!
Best regards, Gianni Olivieri