Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a daily column that runs on Page 1 of The Asahi Shimbun.
June 19, 2023 at 13:40 JST
AC Milan supporters attend the funeral of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi at the Duomo Cathedral in Milan on June 14. (Reuters photo)
In July 1986, a helicopter landed on the turf of a stadium in Milan. With Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” blasting through the speakers, a man in a dark suit emerged out of the helicopter.
It was Silvio Berlusconi, who was a 49-year-old business tycoon at that time. He had bought AC Milan and his pompous entrance stunned the fans.
Berlusconi spent a fortune to transform AC Milan, which was in crisis after being hit by allegations of match-fixing, into a prominent and glorious soccer club by recruiting a galaxy of highly talented players.
He first built up his huge wealth in the real estate business and then became a media mogul through a series of acquisitions of commercial TV stations. As he was surrounded by star soccer players, Berlusconi was described as the embodiment of the Italian dream.
The media magnate then entered politics. In the 1990s, when the entire postwar edifice of Italy’s political structure collapsed after a nationwide judicial investigation into political corruption, Berlusconi introduced strategic concepts of soccer into politics.
Talking about supporters for center-right political forces who were left with no party to support, he said the midfield was empty. He famously announced that he would “enter the field” of politics and founded the Forza Italia ("Forza" meaning force or strength) political party named after a slogan used at international soccer matches.
He scored a landslide victory in the general elections.
Berlusconi died recently. During his stormy political career, marked by scandals and repeated comebacks after high-profile resignations, he was elected prime minister three times and served for nine years, earning the title of Italy’s longest-serving government leader since World War II.
A billionaire politician and champion of anti-communism and anti-elitism, Berlusconi is inevitably reminiscent of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
His largest achievement as a politician was, probably, to build political momentum for regime change. Alarmed by his popularity, the center-left camp stopped infighting and splitting up. Ironically, center-left forces stood united to defeat Berlusconi.
On the day of his state funeral, the Piazza del Duomo, where the Milan Cathedral stands, was filled with AC Milan supporters. A foreign investor now owns the club. A populist is gone and an era has ended.
--The Asahi Shimbun, June 18
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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
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