Throughout his extensive political career, Berlusconi governed Italy longer than any leader since the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. He rose to power as a disruptive force, focused on revitalizing a government beleaguered by corruption scandals and public discontent. His exit from the political arena is marked by a diminished yet defiant presence, as he wrapped up his career as a junior partner in a conservative coalition involved in protracted legal battles over serious accusations, including bribery, misuse of office, and illicit relationships.
For a significant period, however, Berlusconi captivated the public’s imagination like few others, leveraging his extensive media control and crafted public persona, enhanced by his high-profile ownership of one of Italy’s most beloved football clubs. His ability to connect with the masses and create a personal brand made him a formidable force in Italian politics, highlighting the intersection of entertainment and governance.
“Berlusconi’s orchestration of his image as Il Cavaliere, or the Knight, was largely achieved on his terms,” noted Jason Horowitz in The Washington Post’s obituary. “He navigated the turbulent political landscape through his media dominance, wielding every tool at his disposal to neutralize opposition, forge a coalition from disparate factions, and, most importantly, ensure his political survival against relentless challenges.”
“It is challenging to envision an Italy devoid of Berlusconi,” asserted a Monday editorial in La Repubblica, a leading Italian daily. “In the past five decades, there has not been a single day when his name has not been referenced in media outlets, legislative debates, social gatherings, and sporting events.”
Berlusconi’s Populist Charisma and Its Impact on Italian Politics was rooted in a widespread disillusionment with an unraveling liberal-democratic framework. However, the political narrative he promoted was a divisive blend of nationalism and anti-elite rhetoric that significantly contributed to the rise of the Italian far-right and reshaped the political landscape, including reshaping his own center-right base.
“To the masses, Berlusconi appeared to be a catalyst for change. He embodied novelty,” explained Roberto D’Alimonte, a political analyst from Rome-based Luiss University, in an interview with The Post. “While some may remember him as a visionary who could have advanced Italy’s modernization, others will label him as the chief corruptor of Italian society, leaving a legacy of malaise that may take a generation to overcome.”
Political analysts frequently draw comparisons between Berlusconi and former President Donald Trump, and for good reason. “Both individuals began as real estate magnates, transformed into media personalities, and transitioned into politics. Each has intentionally undermined their nation’s established institutions, including the press and judicial systems,” remarked Jon Henley of The Guardian. “Shunned by their respective liberal establishments, both have, despite their immense wealth, resorted to populist strategies, presenting themselves as the authentic voices of the people against a disconnected and corrupt elite.”
Berlusconi maintained amicable relationships with various illiberal nationalists, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who may draw lessons from Berlusconi’s triumph over his legal challenges. Despite numerous accusations, the former Italian leader was only definitively convicted in 2013 when Italy’s highest court upheld his tax fraud conviction, a ruling that excluded him from parliamentary life for nearly a decade.
“No politician anywhere in the world, not even Netanyahu, faced a career filled with as many and varied criminal allegations as Berlusconi,” noted Anshel Pfeffer, Netanyahu’s biographer. “He outlasted his prosecutors through time-consuming legal maneuvers, a persistent stream of pressure via his compliant media, and ultimately, when necessary, legislative changes that ensured he could avoid imprisonment and remain active in politics.”
Pfeffer elaborated in the Israeli publication Haaretz, stating: “This was sufficient to transform Italian politics and media, convincing enough people that he was merely a victim of leftist adversaries while maintaining solid support within his Forza Italia party.”
Current Political Dynamics Reflect Berlusconi’s Legacy in the United States, as Trump and some of his Republican challengers attempt to leverage ongoing investigations into the former president to galvanize their base. While Berlusconi was less ideologically driven than many of his conservative peers, his personality-driven politics have provided a template for how democratic norms can erode.
“Berlusconi illustrated that institutional safeguards are, even in supposedly consolidated democracies, often more fragile than politicians and political scholars had believed,” stated Yascha Mounk in the Atlantic. “The threat he posed lay in his example; he was a deeply personalistic politician who relied heavily on his charisma and prioritized his own interests. His successors are equally willing to manipulate rules or capitalize on their images, but for purposes that could inflict far greater harm.”
It is no coincidence that some of Berlusconi’s closest allies on the global stage were also autocrats and demagogues. One of the most notable tributes to him on Monday came from Russian President Vladimir Putin, a friend, as my colleagues have characterized, “united by a shared boorish machismo” and numerous rumors of covert dealings and joint escapades in scandalous parties.
Putin penned an extensive letter praising Berlusconi. “I have always genuinely admired his wisdom and his capacity to make thoughtful, far-sighted decisions, even in the most challenging situations,” Putin wrote. “During every meeting we had, I was invigorated by his remarkable vitality, optimism, and sense of humor. His passing is an irreparable loss and a profound sorrow.”
