Silvio Berlusconi, former Italian prime minister, dies at 86
NBCJUL 2023
Berlusconi was undoubtedly controversial, but his boastful nature — the "Trump before Trumpism" — paved the way to the longest combined Prime Minister career in Italy since World War II. Even as a billionaire with a lavish lifestyle, he gave regular Italians a voice when their establishment politicians were tone-deaf. While his personal life wasn't without blemishes, no one can deny his popularity and lasting impact on the Italian polity.
While Berlusconi may be gone now, his legacy and revival of right-wing populism can still be witnessed everywhere. Italy's new regime has further shifted the country right, making his years in power comparatively moderate, but his proto-Trumpism must not be forgotten. Unfortunately, it is thanks to Berlusconi that corruption, hypocrisy, and cynical governance have infected modern politics.