“Remembering Silvio Berlusconi’s Controversial Legacy: Italy’s Former Prime Minister Dies at Age…”

Italy‘s Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi Dies at 86

Italian media reported on Monday that the former prime minister and sitting senator in the Italian parliament, Silvio Berlusconi, died at the age of 86. Berlusconi was admitted to the hospital last week for medical checks related to his chronic leukemia, but the immediate cause of his death is unknown. Berlusconi, a media mogul and a born showman, served as Italy‘s prime minister on multiple occasions from 1994. His flamboyant lifestyle left an indelible mark on popular culture, while his abrasive and populist style, along with his constant legal woes, trashed political norms and tainted Italy‘s image in the world.

The Rise of an Empire

Berlusconi’s empire began as a 1970s game show, where if a caller provided the right answer, a housewife in the studio would strip a piece of clothing. Berlusconi built a media empire with television networks, newspapers, publishing houses, a top soccer team, and much more. By the 1980s, he was running Italy‘s largest media empire, Mediaset, which allowed him to expand his empire into publishing houses such as Il Giornale and AC Milan soccer club. His networks molded an adoring audience into a virtual electorate with a carousel of soap operas and scantily-clad showgirls.

A Political Career Built on Scandals

In the early 1990s, bribery scandals toppled the Italian political establishment, creating a vacuum for Berlusconi to fill. With his rags-to-riches story, he sold many Italians a rosy dream of prosperity and lower taxes. In the 1994 general elections, Berlusconi swept to power. In a span of two decades, he became the longest-serving prime minister in Italian history. He survived multiple corruption trials, tawdry tales of orgies and paying for sex with a minor. However, his political career was not bereft of controversies as he was enmeshed in legal troubles throughout his time in office.

The Secret of Berlusconi’s Popularity

Berlusconi’s popularity mystified foreign commentators. Italian scholar Maurizio Viroli says the Italian’s fondness for Berlusconi can be attributed to their dislike for moral principles. “When they see someone who tells them it is right not to have principles, to disregard civic duties, to violate the laws, they love him,” said Viroli.

An Irreparable Legacy

Berlusconi’s legacy is hard to compartmentalize. He was one of the most influential political leaders of his time, who left a lasting impact on Italy‘s political, cultural, and media landscape. However, his abrasiveness and legal woes trashed political norms and tainted Italy‘s image in the world. Berlusconi’s brand of politics leveraged his media empire to control the narrative and amplify his messages while shackling independent journalism. His consolidation of power and control over all state-run broadcasting and collusion with authoritarian leaders, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, underscores his contempt for democratic values.

Editorial and Advice

Berlusconi’s legacy offers a cautionary tale on the dangers of conflating the private and public interests. His political career underscores how a media empire could be used to consolidate power and control narrative, amplifying divisive and populist messages, and trashing democratic values. The mainstream media has a critical role in exposing corruption and seeking truth. It is indispensable in preventing abuses of power and holding political leaders accountable. The passing of Berlusconi presents an opportunity for Italian politics to embark on a path towards greater transparency, accountability, and democratic values.