Marina Berlusconi two years after her father's death: 'His first wish was always to feel loved'

Two years after his death, the Cavaliere continues to be a protagonist of Italian politics. A 'visionary entrepreneur', 'a political leader who believed in a united centre-right and in a strong and authoritative nation', writes Giorgia Meloni on social media. But the strongest and at the same time most political memory is that of her eldest daughter Marina. 'My father's first desire was always to feel loved,' she recounts in an interview with Il Giornale where she goes back to her father's last hours at his bedside, to the last chats and those notes written with an unsteady hand in which he claimed his political history, which is then also the history of Forza Italia. On that 12 June 2023, many, many took it for granted that Berlusconi's funeral would soon be followed by that of his party. It did not turn out that way, as we know. Forza Italia did not just survive: it held its own. And very well. It has done so for two precise reasons. On the one hand, the family, with Marina at the forefront, who in addition to keeping alive her father's thoughts and political spirit has always ensured that she would continue to support the party financially as well. On the other, the tenacity of Antonio Tajani, who has not let himself be crushed by his allies or marginalised by an unbalanced coalition and who has also made himself felt on the organisation and internal management front (see the increase in MPs' payments). "You are always with me," writes the azure vice-premier on social media, who precisely to coincide with the second anniversary of the founder's death presented the Academy of Freedom for young people, dedicated to Silvio Berlusconi. That 'you are always with me' is not only an emotional reminder but also a political one. Today Forza Italia has a stable approval rating, travelling around 8% and in more than one survey surpassing Matteo Salvini's Lega.

'My friend, we miss you', is the message from the Carroccio secretary, adding to those from much of the political world, especially the centre-right. Indeed, Salvini and Berlusconi would hardly have had the same world view today. 'He did not understand those who aspire to be feared: he was as far from his way of being,' says the Fininvest president, who in recent months has not spared Donald Trump any criticism. Berlusconi called for fair justice, invoked the civil responsibility of magistrates and spoke of Europe as a common homeland, Marina recalls. The dream of Adenauer, Schuman and De Gasperi, the Cavaliere liked to repeat. A 'European patriotism', linked inseparably to the alliance with the United States and based on common sense and the idea that war is 'the folly of follies'. 'If there were a little more Silvio Berlusconi in the world, perhaps there would be less suffering,' Marina says today, also with reference to the conflicts raging especially in the East and the Middle East. Up to now, the eldest daughter has always denied those who thought her 'descent into the field' was possible. But the suggestion remains. The Berlusconi brand has not gone out of fashion.