6 July 2023
Exit Stage Right
By Paul Branch
With far right populist groups again on the rise across Europe, we bid a fond farewell to possibly the modern daddy of them all, one of the great performers of world politics, a legend in his own lifetime now sadly come to a close. Silvio Berlusconi is no more, having shattered the tranquillity of Italian government in 1994 by putting a right wing populist nail in the coffin of the liberal, inept and allegedly corrupt Christian Democrat party which had been a dominant force since 1945. But as ever with him, and others that followed, reality didn’t quite match the popular promises.
Silvio’s spectacular rise to success from a relatively mundane and humble start began with prudent and initially small investments in real estate. These quickly led to fame and riches in his eventual ownership of finance companies, media and entertainment outlets, and his home town football club AC Milan. His years in office as Prime Minister were many, exceeded only by the number of his reported mistresses. Berlusconi’s passing at the age of 86 was mourned and celebrated in the style reminiscent of Verdi’s operatic state funeral, but in Silvio’s case he was also accompanied by wives past and present, children, grandchildren and an assortment of girlfriends. His majestic passage to his final resting place was slow and solemn, punctuated by sobbing distraught women throwing themselves over his tricolour draped coffin. On reflection a comparison with Mozart’s Don Giovanni might be more appropriate. What a man ….
Berlusconi’s philosophy of life, his attraction to fascist principles and his motives for entering politics remain the subject of speculation as to whether they were wholly appropriate to high state office. He held the memory of Mussolini in high esteem, describing him as a benign dictator. Latterly his Forza Italia party (a concept created by his own publicity company) was a key element in Giorgia Meloni’s rise to power as head of the current right-wing coalition government. Overall his ascent to the rarefied atmosphere of political triumph was little to do with substance but much more due to his ability to charm and persuade a broad cross-section of the Italian electorate to entrust their futures to his tender care. As head of the government, many of the laws he passed shamelessly benefitted the commercial interests he still owned, or reformed the statute of limitations so that through the appeals process he had a good chance of avoiding legal retribution for any misdemeanours.
Berlusconi was accused and often convicted of an impressive range of criminal acts: bribery of a senator; paying for sex (at the age of 76 … ) with an underage prostitute, involving the infamous Ruby the Heart Stealer and erotic bunga bunga parties; abusing his power as Prime Minister by having said young lady released from custody while under suspicion of theft; fraud; corruption of high-ranking public servants; collusion; defamation; embezzlement; extortion; mafia connections; money laundering; perjury; witness tampering …. But for all these trials and tribulations he served just a one-year sentence (for tax fraud), performing part-time community service in a care home. At least the elderly ladies he looked after would have been safe.
The new force he established in Italian politics emanated from his ownership of two national newspapers and 90% of the TV output. He was the consummate performer on live television, feeding the public what they wanted to hear with precious little to back it up. Italians rarely read newspapers, so Berlusconi’s frequent virtuoso TV performances hit the sweet spot beloved by media influencers. During his decade in prime ministerial office 2001-2011 he was unassailable in the polls and in parliament. He was proud to represent the far right which finally put an end to the Italian communist party, and his football club did well under his chairmanship. But his contribution to improving the nation’s economy, infrastructure, health care and social security system was almost entirely negative, save where any reforms served his own personal purposes or improved his polling figures. When he finally lost the 2011 election, he set another precedent by refusing to accept defeat and didn’t actually leave office for a month.
And yet, while the rest of the world looked on in disbelief at the antics of a clown, criminal and philanderer, he was loved and admired by seemingly serious-minded intelligent electors, including mammas and nonnas in their droves despite all the obvious affairs and other sordid carryings on. I recall my uncle in Venice asking me what the English thought of Berlusconi, to which I replied that we couldn’t understand how he came to be elected, and by such a substantial majority. My uncle nodded, in agreement and not a little shame – he couldn’t understand it either, but he noted that a country always elects the leader it deserves.
There are obvious parallels with Trump and Putin, both of whom were outspokenly admired by Berlusconi although it could be argued that he was their role model. By control of the media to manipulate public opinion, with their open abuse either of women or of political opponents, they’re all like peas in a pod and not a great advertisement for electoral democracy. Berlusconi’s sexual exploits only seemed to enhance his reputation with Catholic conservative women; Trump too has managed to take advantage of his latest failed court case and pull even further ahead of the rest of the field in Republican polls; and Putin’s treatment of opponents gets no more than an understanding empathetic shrug on the streets of Moscow. Even in their neat, conservative, elegantly dressed and clean-shaven appearances they all appear hewn from the same block. Berlusconi’s gleaming teeth, glowing skin and luxuriant hair transplant were his trademark look and one which he cultivated. Nothing exemplified this better than when at a meeting of the EU council he took his belated place at the front of the group posing for the traditional photo, turned to a fellow head of state and surprised him with: “All these other guys, they’re just amateurs – I’m the only professional here”. His startled companion asked why he thought that, to which Silvio replied: “I’m the only one who thought to bring along my make-up artist.”
Given all the political histrionics and economic shambles in this part of the world one might be tempted to extend the comparison to our boy Boris. There’s one clear problem with that: sartorial elegance and smart hair are not his strong points, and as far as can be gleaned Boris is the only one to have exposed his buttocks over the top of his trousers on TV in true builder fashion. In some respects, however, he does share non-redeeming features with the Silvio-Vlad-Donald clan, including arguably a distinct lack of achievement after being elected on the back of populist sentiment. Petulance and a bad-mannered reluctance to relinquish office are other similarities. All of which my Italian uncle has remarked upon.
While Putin is still very much in power and Trump retains realistic expectations of a return, Berlusconi’s exit from the right wing of the world’s political stage is pretty definite (although he did once compare himself to Jesus, so never say never …). Boris on the other hand could conceivably resurrect himself as the saviour of the Conservative party, to avert impending electoral implosion and help continue our populist journey. Unless of course the Tories can find themselves another people’s champion, but this time backed up with competence, honesty, integrity, and of course elegance …. a Penny for your thoughts?
Tile photo: by Elisabeth Arnold on Unsplash
