Berlusconi wants to set the tone for Europe

The day after his election victory, Silvio Berlusconi said that he wants to help the EU regain its influence in world affairs. Massimo Franco analyses the speech. "Berlusconi drew up a list of the telephone calls he received from foreign heads of state, in a detailed and even ostentatious way. With this, he wanted to demonstrate the continuity between the second and third Berlusconi, and put Prodi's government between parentheses - to be considered an accident along the way best forgotten. But maybe he intended to announce to those who, in Italy or in Europe, observe him with open mistrust that he has returned more decidedly than ever. He wants to be noticed and to take up the role, not of the oldest, but of the most experienced of all EU leaders... . The difference, when compared with 1994 and 2001, is that Berlusconi now has behind him a country that picked him to be their leader, whether Europe likes it or not."

» full article (external link, Italian)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Domestic Policy, » Italy, » Europe
All available articles from » Massimo Franco

» To the complete press review of Wednesday, April 16, 2008