Italy is commemorating the late businessman and politician Silvio Berlusconi with a grandeur befitting his soap opera-worthy life, writes the BBC.
Berlusconi once ran the country without any previous political experience and built a media empire.
On Wednesday, the 14th of June, the archbishop of Milan will conduct the official funeral ceremony of the politician in the city’s main cathedral. It is an unusual tribute to a former prime minister. A day of mourning has also been announced in Italy.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, a succession play has started: who will take over Berlusconi’s work?
During his lifetime, the politician built a vast business empire that spanned media, real estate, the financial sector, the film industry, and sports and created a party that is part of the current Italian government. According to Forbes, Berlusconi’s companies are worth around 5.15 billion dollars, making him one of Italy’s richest men.
Berlusconi has two children from his first marriage and three from his second. All have shares in the family holding Fininvest. The future of the companies largely depends on how Berlusconi distributed the shares he owned.
Another valuable part of Berlusconi’s inheritance is undoubtedly his many villas, which might be difficult to divide equally among the children.
He owned homes on Lake Maggiore, Rome, Cannes, the Caribbean, and elsewhere. One of Berlusconi’s most notable properties is the Villa Certosa, where the former prime minister hosted leaders of other countries.
So far there has been no discussion about who will take over the leadership of the business empire – it is expected that his eldest daughter Marina, 56, will do so. The most important question is whether the children will be able to maintain unity even now, after the death of their father.
Berlusconi’s death may also prove to be a fatal blow to the party he founded. He was an articulate, populist leader, and it is no surprise that the party was largely built around his personality. Berlusconi’s right-hand man,
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, categorically denies that the party’s future is at risk.
However, already last September, Forza Italia received the support of only 8% of voters.
If Marina and Pier Silvio decide to stop funding the party and not get involved in political work, Forza Italia is doomed to destruction. It is rumored that Marina could take her father’s place at the party, but there is no confirmation of this.
Another possible candidate is Berlusconi’s girlfriend Marta Fascina. She has been a member of the party since 2018. However, it is said that last year Berlusconi’s eldest daughter opposed her father’s marriage to Fascina, which means that
the future of Berlusconi’s girlfriend at the party is in doubt.
One thing is clear – if Forza Italia splits, it will be a big problem for other members of the coalition led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Until now, the Berlusconi children have avoided the public eye, but their father’s death could force them to come out to take over the reins of the family business empire. Since Berlusconi has been plagued by health problems for years, it is unlikely that there has been no conversation about what to do after his death.
Read also: Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi dies at 86