Pier Silvio Berlusconi: ‘Vannacci? He doesn’t fit with my vision of the centre-right’
During the evening event to present Mediaset’s programming schedule, political issues were also on the agenda: from the leader of Futuro Nazionale to the tensions between Meloni and Trump. “Villa Certosa was sold to someone whose plans were in line with my father’s.”
Key points
Choose your words carefully, Pier Silvio Berlusconi. He is quick to say he wants to avoid giving advice to Giorgia Meloni and Antonio Tajani, yet he draws a clear line. Roberto Vannacci? “He’s a good communicator, so he’s effective.” But as to whether he is “in line with my own view of what the centre-right should be”, the answer, at least today, is a flat “No”.
Propaganda and programmes
Mediaset’s chief executive made these remarks to journalists during an evening event intended to outline MFE’s editorial and industrial strategies, but which – inevitably, and as has always been the case for at least the past few years – ended up veering into the realm of politics. Pier Silvio Berlusconi refused to be drawn into the controversy, but he did not shy away from it either. ‘Italia is no stranger to phenomena that spring up out of nowhere on the political scene,’ he begins. ‘I’m not surprised that Vannacci is emerging at this moment.’ He then makes a distinction, however: ‘Propaganda is one thing; programmes are another. Let’s look at the programme and see how it aligns with the centre-right’s programme.’
This is the political crux of the matter. Vannacci may win over voters, he may appeal to the electorate’s gut feelings, and he may even become a key figure within the coalition. But for the chairman and CEO of MFE, the centre-right is not measured solely by its ability to win votes. It is measured by the sustainability of its vision. ‘We’ll wait to see Vannacci’s manifesto,’ he insists, ‘and we’ll assess how consistent it is with the centre-right’s programme. Then we’ll know what to do.’
‘Forza Italia? It will decide for itself’
No formal objection, then. But there is a message: Forza Italia cannot be subsumed by the muscle-flexing of the identitarian right. When asked what the party founded by his father should do, Berlusconi Jr, however, seems to shut the door on any suggestion of him taking the helm: ‘Forza Italia will decide entirely for itself what it must do. Full stop. I do not presume to give advice to the government, nor do I presume to give advice to Forza Italia.’ He then reiterates: ‘I have merely expressed my thoughts.’
‘As an Italian, I feel offended by Trump’
His comments on Giorgia Meloni and Donald Trump, however, are more direct. When asked how he felt about the American president’s insults directed at the Italian prime minister, Berlusconi responds as an Italian first and as a businessman second. “It’s something that affected me. It annoyed me deeply.” And he added: “I hold our Prime Minister in high regard; I think that, given the situation and the sort of person we’re dealing with, it would be hard to do any better.” His assessment is both political and patriotic: “Finding the balance between maintaining a fair stance towards the United States whilst not backing down on our positions”. And then came his strongest statement: “I felt offended because it is unfair to be treated with disrespect as an Italian. So I give my full support to our Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. I believe that, as an Italian, I must stand with her, and I do stand with her.”
