Silvio Berlusconi spent last night in intensive care, less than a week after he was discharged from the same hospital. The four-time Italian prime minister, who has spent decades influencing the political course of his country, was sent to a cardiac unit at Milan’s San Raffaele Hospital on Wednesday after suffering breathing problems.
A crowd of journalists has remained outside the building since yesterday, and the newspapers this morning reflect the clout this man carries. Reflecting on Berlusconi’s recent health troubles, the online edition of la Repubblica cited a two-decade-old quote from the 86-year-old’s personal doctor, who suggested he was “potentially immortal,” while its latest print front page quoted his brother Paolo, who yesterday said “ce la farà anche stavolta” (“he’ll make it this time too.”)
Reports currently differ slightly on the cause of Berlusconi’s hospitalisation, though much of the Italian press points a tentative finger towards pneumonia caused by leukaemia. La Stampa highlights that these are “unconfirmed rumours for now,” adding that those close to Berlusconi are awaiting this morning’s medical bulletin. The paper notes that “concern is strong.”
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, of Forza Italia, which is led by Berlusconi and forms part of the coalition keeping up Giorgia Meloni’s government, yesterday told reporters that the politician is in hospital “because of a problem concerning an unresolved infection. But he is talking.” Ms. Meloni took to Twitter upon receiving the news of Berlusconi’s hospitalisation, noting her “sincere and affectionate wish for a speedy recovery.”
Besides the political well-wishing, there are, however, signs of worry among Forza Italia officials. The “empire trembles” while “the future is a puzzle,” according to la Repubblica, which reports:
The party should pass into the hands of Antonio Tajani and [Chamber of Deputies member] Marta Fascina, but the internal opposition could enforce the statute of the party which does not include the figure of the coordinator. Forza Italia also has debts of around 90 million, covered by two personal sureties from Berlusconi. Would the heirs continue to guarantee them?
More serious, though, is the clear “apprehension” of family members.
Senator Paolo Barelli this morning said Berlusconi had spent the night “calmly,” adding that we should better “understand the evolution” of his health later today.
