Goodbye Berlusconi, Meloni: «He was a fighter», Tajani: «FI is wounded but goes on». Sacchi cries, Renzi: "We will miss you"
Dozens of condolence messages for the former prime minister who died at the age of 86 at the San Raffaele in Milan, Salvini: "A great man and a great Italian"
The reactions to the death of Silvio Berlusconi are multiplying , who died today at 9.30 in the San Raffaele hospital in Milan where he had been hospitalized for four days.
"He was above all a fighter - said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni - he was a man who had never been afraid to defend his convictions and it was exactly that courage and that determination that made him one of the most influential men in the history of Italy, a allow him to make real breakthroughs in the world of politics, communication and business».
The Prime Minister was also interviewed on Tg5 at 8 pm by Clemente Mimun: «Having him, being able to compare notes with him was an element that reassured you in many things. He had been there before and had done well. I'm also very proud of the fact that lately, especially, he often called me and said 'you're working well'. And it wasn't easy, in short, for a man with that experience. And even the last phone call we had he told me: 'Look, I want to tell you I am very proud of the work you are doing, of how you are doing it ', he said.
« We have a duty, like Forza Italia, to carry on, even if we are injured. We will do so again under his moral and spiritual guidance and we will continue to work in the wake of his indications», the words of Antonio Tajani , national coordinator of the party, located in Washington. "Fate has it that I find myself here today, in the United States, in Arlington Cemetery, a place that sums up the human and political journey of Silvio Berlusconi, a place where the value of freedom is witnessed," adds the minister.
"Berlusconi was a great political leader who marked the history of our Republic, influencing paradigms, uses and languages", the note from the Quirinale . "Berlusconi's leadership has contributed to shaping a new geography of Italian politics" and has "progressively integrated the political movement he founded into the European popular family, favoring continuity in the Atlantic and pro-European orientation of our Republic".
Pope Francis sent a telegram of condolences to the family expressing "heartfelt participation in the mourning for the loss of a protagonist of Italian political life, who covered public responsibilities with an energetic temper. His Holiness - underlines the telegram - invokes from the Lord eternal peace for him and heartfelt consolation for those who mourn his departure. I join in the condolences with a fervent remembrance in prayer".
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini received the news during a meeting with the Coast Guard on Lake Maggiore. He asked for a minute's silence for "a great man and a great Italian" then canceled all public appointments and set off for Milan.
Among the first to tweet, the number one of Italia Viva Matteo Renzi : «Silvio Berlusconi made history in this country. Many loved him, many hated him: everyone today must recognize that his impact on political but also economic, sporting and television life was unprecedented. Today Italy mourns together with its family, its loved ones, its companies, its party. To all those who loved him, my most affectionate and most sincere embrace. In these hours I carry with me the memories of our meetings, of the many councils, of our agreements, of our clashes. But above all of a phone call in which Silvio, not the President, made me shed a tear when talking about my mother. We will miss you Pres, may the earth be light on you".
«He fought against the disease to the end with incredible courage. May he rest in peace,” said Carlo Calenda, leader of Action.
“A great, enormous pain. He leaves a huge void because he was great. An era is over, an era is closing. I loved him very much. Goodbye Silvio». Defense Minister Guido Crosetto wrote it.
The secretary of the Pd Elly Schlein : «In the face of the disappearance of Silvio Berlusconi we want to convey all our closeness to the pain of his family, his loved ones and all of Forza Italia, just as we want it to reach the Government and the majority forces. An era ends with the death of Silvio Berlusconi. Everything has divided us and divides us from his political vision, but the respect that humanly owes to the one who was a protagonist in the history of our country remains. Deepest condolences from the Democratic Party.
“Thousands of words have been said by both of them about my political relationship with Silvio Berlusconi – the words of Gianfranco Fini , former Speaker of the Chamber and leader of the National Alliance – In the hour of his painful death I would like to pay homage to him by recalling his great humanity. In February 2008 when, a few days apart, we both lost our mother, Silvio was really, in a painful moment for both of us, a friend who comforted me. With the same sentiment, I address my heartfelt condolences to the children, family members and community of Forza Italia.
The president of the EU Commission Ursula Von der Leyen : «I am saddened by the news of the death of the former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. He led Italy through a time of political transition and has continued to shape his beloved country ever since. I offer my condolences to his family and to the Italian people."
«I'm sick, despite everything I didn't expect it». Arrigo Sacchi cries on the phone with Ansa for a "brilliant friend to whom I owe everything". «Silvio Berlusconi was a generous man - adds the former Milan coach who won everything - and he tried to change this difficult country, made up of individualists. Was he too? No, he thought of the whole and saw far: when he took me I told him "you are either mad or a genius". Given the results, you give me the answer...".
The message from Carlo Ancelotti who with Milan won two Champions Cups as a player and two as a coach was moving. «Today's sadness does not erase the happy moments spent together. There remains infinite gratitude to the president, but above all to an ironic, loyal, intelligent, sincere man, fundamental in my adventure as a football player first, and then as a coach. Thanks President."
(Unioneonline/D)
