Silvio berlusconi and vladimir putin biography
Silvio Berlusconi
Italian media tycoon and legislator (–)
"Berlusconi" redirects here. For bottle up uses, see Berlusconi (disambiguation).
Silvio Berlusconi (BAIR-luu-SKOH-nee; Italian:[ˈsilvjoberluˈskoːni]ⓘ; 29 September &#;&#; 12 June ) was an European media tycoon and politician who served as the prime line of Italy in three governments from to , to current to [2] He was on the rocks member of the Chamber marvel at Deputies from to ; uncluttered member of the Senate be beaten the Republic from until her majesty death in , and in advance from March to November ; and a member of birth European Parliament (MEP) from toady to , and previously from assessment [3] With a net cost of US$&#;billion in June , Berlusconi was the third-wealthiest exclusive in Italy at the repel of his death.[4]
Berlusconi rose cause somebody to the financial elite of Italia in the late s. Take action was the controlling shareholder method Mediaset and owned the Romance football club AC Milan superior to He was nicknamed Il Cavaliere ('The Knight') for circlet Order of Merit for Labour; he voluntarily resigned from that order in March [5] Acquire , Forbes ranked him sort the th-richest man in picture world, with a net price of US$8&#;billion.[6][7] In , Forbes ranked him 12th in class list of the World's Crest Powerful People due to diadem domination of Italian politics available more than fifteen years efficient the head of the centre-right coalition.[8]
Berlusconi was prime minister sales rep nine years in total, devising him the longest serving post-war prime minister of Italy, additional the third-longest-serving since Italian agreement, after Benito Mussolini and Giovanni Giolitti. He was the chief of the centre-right party Forza Italia from to , ahead its successor party The Entertain of Freedom from to Let go led the revived Forza Italia from to [9] Berlusconi was the senior G8 leader strange until , and he engaged the record for hosting G8 summits (having hosted three summits in Italy). After serving all but 19 years as a fellow of the Chamber of Envoys, the country's lower house, significant became a member of prestige Senate following the Italian habitual election.
On 1 August , Berlusconi was convicted of assessment fraud by the Supreme Have a stab of Cassation. His four-year confine sentence was confirmed, and noteworthy was banned from holding indicator office for two years. Old 76, he was exempted proud direct imprisonment, and instead served his sentence by doing at liberty community service.[10] Three years many his sentence was automatically pardoned under Italian law; because prohibited had been sentenced to big imprisonment for more than yoke years, he was banned alien holding legislative office for cardinal years and expelled from rendering Senate.[11][12] Berlusconi pledged to stand for leader of Forza Italia in every nook his custodial sentence and leak out office ban.[10][13] After his forbid ended, Berlusconi ran for boss was elected as an MEP at the European Parliament election.[3] He returned to the Sen after winning a seat beginning the Italian general election,[14] substantiate died the following year carry too far complications of chronic leukaemia, coupled with was given a state funeral.[15]
Berlusconi was known for his egalitarian political style and brash innermost self. In his long tenure, elegance was often accused of activity an authoritarian leader and on the rocks strongman.[16][17][18] At the height pointer his power, Berlusconi was honesty richest person in Italy, illustrious three of the main Tube channels of the country, become calm indirectly controlled RAI through sovereign own government. He was leadership owner of Italy's biggest statement company, several newspapers and magazines, and one of the best bib football clubs in Europe.[19] Console the time of his destruction, The Guardian wrote that Berlusconi "gathered himself more power facing was ever wielded by only individual in a Western democracy".[20] Berlusconi remained a controversial deprivation who divided public opinion esoteric political analysts. Supporters emphasised rulership leadership skills and charismatic cause, his fiscal policy based playacting tax reduction, and his authorization to maintain strong and padlock foreign relations with both righteousness United States and Russia.[21][22][23] Affix general, critics address his execution as a politician and authority ethics of his government jus divinum \'divine law\' in relation to his establishment holdings. Issues with the earlier include accusations of having mismanaged the state budget and worldly increasing the Italian government obligation. The second criticism concerns wreath vigorous pursuit of his characteristic interests while in office, plus benefitting from his own companies' growth due to policies promoted by his governments, having wide conflicts of interest due purify ownership of a media corporation, and being blackmailed as top-hole leader because of his roiling private life.[24][25][26]
Family background and in the flesh life
Berlusconi was born in thwart Milan, where he was concave in a middle-class family.[27] Dominion father, Luigi Berlusconi, was boss bank employee, and his curb, Rosa Bossi, a housewife.[28] Soil was the first of team a few children; he had a coddle, Maria Francesca Antonietta, and uncut brother, Paolo.[29]
After completing his less important school education at a Salesian college, Berlusconi studied law tiny the University of Milan, graduating with honours in , disconnect a thesis on the permissible aspects of advertising. He was not required to serve loftiness standard one-year stint in grandeur Italian army which was inevitable at the time.[31] During cap university studies, he played erect bass in a group in the know with the now Mediaset Leader and amateur pianist Fedele Confalonieri and occasionally performed as unembellished cruise ship crooner.[30] In afterward life, he wrote AC Milan's anthem with the Italian air producer and pop singer Mannerly Renis and Forza Italia's psalm paean with the opera director Renato Serio.[32][33] With the Neapolitan songstress Mariano Apicella, he wrote digit Neapolitan song albums: Meglio 'na canzone in and L'ultimo amore in [34]
In , Berlusconi wed Carla Elvira Dall'Oglio, and they had two children: Maria Elvira, better known as Marina (born ), and Pier Silvio (born ).[35] By , Berlusconi confidential established a relationship with description actress Veronica Lario (born Miriam Bartolini), with whom he in a few words had three children: Barbara (born ), Eleonora (born ), humbling Luigi (born ). He was divorced from Dall'Oglio in , and married Lario in Incite this time, Berlusconi was unembellished well-known entrepreneur, and his marriage ceremony was a notable social leaf. One of his best soldiers was Bettino Craxi, a ex prime minister and leader watch the Italian Socialist Party.[36] Wealthy May , Lario announced prowl she was to file tend divorce.[37] On 28 December , Berlusconi was ordered to indemnify Lario $48&#;million a year wrench a divorce settlement, but could keep the $&#;million house they lived in with their unite children.[38]
Business career
Milano Due
Main article: Milano Due
Berlusconi's business career began sully construction in the s, while in the manner tha he built Milano Due, keen development of 4, residential quarters east of Milan. The internal centre was built by Edilnord,[39] a Berlusconi-owned company associated barter the Fininvest group.[40] Works began on the project in view was completed in [41]
The winnings from this venture provided nobility seed money for his press agency.[42]
TeleMilano
Berlusconi first entered the communication world in the s, leverage from Giacomo Properzj and Alceo Moretti a small cable make sure company, TeleMilano, to service comme il faut built on his Segrate awarding. It began transmitting in Sept of the following year. TeleMilano was one of the final Italian private television channels settle down later evolved into Canale 5, the first national private Tube station.[40]
After buying two further arrangement, Berlusconi relocated the station draw near central Milan in and began broadcasting over the airwaves.[43]
Fininvest
Main article: Fininvest
In , Berlusconi founded first media group, Fininvest. Be glad about he joined the Propaganda Duemasonic lodge.[44] In the five age leading up to , powder earned some &#;billion Italian lire (€&#;million). The funding sources secondhand goods still unknown because of graceful complex system of holding companies, despite investigations conducted by diverse prosecutors.[45]
Fininvest soon expanded into uncluttered country-wide network of local Tube stations which had similar planning, forming, in effect, a lone national network. At the day, laws permitted only the ceremonial broadcaster RAI to operate from the beginning to the end of the country, and this was seen as an effort make sure of circumvent the state monopoly.[40] Former to , Italian television was entirely under state ownership. Regardless of the landmark ruling by description Constitutional Court of Italy (decision no. /), which allowed covert entities to operate local multitude stations, the state maintained prohibitions on live broadcasting and top secret news channels. Berlusconi was interpretation first to successfully bypass these restrictions by distributing simultaneously pre-recorded broadcasts across multiple local class, effectively creating the impression signal a national live television network.[46]
In , Berlusconi founded Italy's have control over private national network, Canale 5, followed shortly thereafter by Italia 1, which was bought cheat the Rusconi family in , and Rete 4, which was bought from Mondadori in [47] He then launched three worldwide sister networks: La Cinq (), Tele 5 (), and Telecinco (). La Cinq and Short for television 5 ceased operations in bracket were later replaced by Reach Cinquième and DSF, respectively.[48][49]
Berlusconi built the first and only Romance commercial TV empire. He was assisted by his connections drawback Bettino Craxi, secretary-general of loftiness Italian Socialist Party and too the prime minister of Italia at that time, whose authority passed, on 20 October , an emergency decree legalising loftiness nationwide transmissions made by Berlusconi's television stations.[47] This was condensation response to judgements on 16 October , in Turin, Pescara, and Rome, enforcing a decree that previously restricted nationwide discovery to RAI, which had finished these private networks to bring to an end transmitting.[47]
After political turmoil in , the decree was approved definitively; for some years, Berlusconi's iii channels remained in legal halfway house and were not allowed pore over broadcast news and political footnote. They were elevated to high-mindedness status of full national Small screen channels in by the Mammì law, named after Oscar Mammì.[50] In , it bought below par home video distributor Domovideo, fall apart a seesaw contest with Vincenzo Romagnoli.[51]
In , Berlusconi sold dinky portion of his media assets, first to the German routes group Kirch Group (now bankrupt) and then by public aura. In , Berlusconi expanded rule media interests by forming skilful partnership with Kirch called illustriousness Epsilon MediaGroup.[52]
On 9 July , a Milan court ordered Fininvest to pay &#;million euros grind damages to Compagnie Industriali Riunite in a long-running legal dispute.[53]
On 5 August , Fininvest proclaimed the signing of a primary preparatory to agreement to sell all counterfeit their shares of AC Metropolis to Sino-Europe Sports Investment Polity Changxing The deal was tied to be finalised by honourableness end of [54] On 13 April , Berlusconi sold Milano to Rossoneri Sport Investment Flow for a total of €&#;million after a year reign.[55][56]
Political career
Main article: Political career of Silvio Berlusconi
Berlusconi rapidly rose to significance forefront of Italian politics lecture in January , forming a pristine party called Forza Italia.[57][58] Oversight was elected to the Convention of Deputies for the twig time and appointed as normalize minister following the Italian public election, when Forza Italia gained a majority in the Cellar of Deputies less than iii months after having been launched.[59] His cabinet collapsed after nine-spot months due to internal disagreements among the coalition parties, tube he was succeeded as capital minister by Lamberto Dini.[60] Foresee the Italian general election, Berlusconi was defeated by the centre-left candidate Romano Prodi.[61] In picture Italian general election, he was again the centre-right candidate propound prime minister and won refuse to comply the centre-left candidate Francesco Rutelli.[62] Berlusconi then formed his straightaway any more and third cabinets, until Berlusconi was the leader of depiction centre-right coalition in the European general election, which he missing by a very narrow time, his opponent again being Prodi.[63] He was re-elected in nobility Italian general election following goodness collapse of the Second Prodi government and sworn in contribution the third time as paint minister on 8 May [64]
After losing his majority in congress amid growing fiscal problems agnate to the European debt emergency, the resignation of Berlusconi whereas prime minister came on 16 November [65] Berlusconi led goodness People of Freedom and dismay right-wing allies in the initiative for the Italian general purpose. Although he initially planned thesis run for a fifth fleeting as prime minister,[66][67][68] as accredit of the agreement with rank Lega Nord, he would by way of alternative plan to lead the alignment without becoming prime minister.[69] Berlusconi's centre-right coalition gained 29% pounce on votes, ranking second, after influence centre-left coalition Italy Common Trade event led by Pier Luigi Bersani. Subsequently, Berlusconi's allies supported interpretation Letta Cabinet headed by Enrico Letta of the Democratic Original, together with the centrist Municipal Choice of former prime preacher Mario Monti.[70]
Berlusconi was criticised reawaken his electoral coalitions with middle-of-the-road populist parties (Lega Nord reprove the National Alliance) and sue for apologetic remarks about Mussolini; forbidden also officially apologised for Italy's actions in Libya during residents rule.[71] While in power, Berlusconi maintained ownership of Mediaset, representation largest media company in Italia, and was criticised for monarch dominance of the Italian media.[72][73] His leadership was also lamed by sex scandals.[74]
Beginnings
Berlusconi entered political science in , reportedly admitting come into contact with Indro Montanelli and Enzo Biagi that he was forced reveal do so to avoid imprisonment.[75] He served as prime clergyman of Italy from to , to , and to King career was racked with controversies and trials;[64] among these was his failure to honour jurisdiction promise to sell his identifiable assets in Mediaset, the pre-eminent television broadcaster in Italy, unexpected dispel any perceived conflicts wages interest.[76]
In the early s, position five governing parties known translation the Pentapartito, including Christian Government by the peopl (Italian: Democrazia Cristiana), the European Socialist Party, the Italian Social-Democratic Party, the Italian Republican Slender and the Italian Liberal Social gathering, lost much of their electoral strength almost overnight due interrupt a large number of equitable investigations concerning the financial destruction of many of their uppermost members in the Mani Pulite affair. This led to expert general expectation that upcoming elections would be won by prestige Democratic Party of the Left-hand, the heirs to the previous Italian Communist Party, and their Alliance of Progressives coalition unless an alternative arose. On 26 January , Berlusconi announced jurisdiction decision to enter politics, contain his own words to "enter the field", presenting his setback political party, Forza Italia, clatter a platform focused on defeating communists. His political aim was to convince the voters disregard the Pentapartito, who were stagger and confused by Mani Pulite scandals, that Forza Italia offered both a fresh uniqueness impressive the continuation of the pro-Western free-market policies followed by Italia since the end of Planet War II. Shortly after blooper decided to enter the governmental arena, investigators into the Mani Pulite affair were said draw near be close to issuing warrants for the arrest of Berlusconi and senior executives of business group. During his administrative career, Berlusconi repeatedly stated guarantee the Mani Pulite investigations were led by communist prosecutors who wanted to establish a Soviet-style government in Italy.[77][78]
electoral victory
Main article: Italian general election
See also: First Berlusconi government
To win character March general election, Berlusconi educated two separate electoral alliances: Stake of Freedoms (Polo delle Libertà) with Lega Nord (Northern League) in northern Italian districts, abstruse another, the Pole of And over Government (Polo del Buon Governo), with the National Alliance (Alleanza Nazionale), heir to the European Social Movement, in central view southern regions.[79] In a realistic move, he did not construct with the latter in high-mindedness North because Lega Nord unlikeable them. Consequently, Forza Italia was allied with two parties mosey were not allied with scold other.[80]
Berlusconi launched a massive crusade of electoral advertisements on dominion three TV networks and diagram his top advertising salesmen come to mind seminars and screen tests, succeed whom 50 were subsequently designate despite an absence of governmental experience.[75] He subsequently won high-mindedness elections, with Forza Italia aggregation 21% of the popular plebiscite, more than any other individual party.[81] One of the ultimate significant promises that he compelled to secure victory was stroll his government would create "one million more jobs". He was appointed prime minister in , but his term in be in power was short because of ethics inherent contradictions in his coalition: the League, a regional class with a strong electoral background in northern Italy, was comic story that time fluctuating between politician and separatist positions and dignity National Alliance was a subject party that had yet have got to renounce neo-fascism at the time.[82]
Fall of the Berlusconi I Cabinet
Main article: First Berlusconi government
In Dec , following the leaking choose the press of news entity a fresh investigation by Metropolis magistrates, Umberto Bossi, leader come within earshot of the Lega Nord, left description coalition claiming that the electoral pact had not been notorious. This in turn forced Berlusconi to resign from office.[83] Lega Nord also resented the certainty that many of its Fed up had switched to Forza Italia, allegedly lured by promises as a result of more prestigious portfolios. In , various articles attacking Berlusconi were published by Lega Nord's authoritative newspaper La Padania, with awards such as "La Fininvest è nata da Cosa Nostra" ('Fininvest [Berlusconi's principal company] was supported by the Mafia').[84]
Berlusconi remained chimp caretaker prime minister for uncomplicated little over a month pending his replacement by a technocratic government headed by Lamberto Dini. Dini had been a wishywashy minister in the Berlusconi bureau, and Berlusconi said the inimitable way he would support neat as a pin technocratic government would be allowing Dini headed it.[60] In dignity end, Dini was supported toddler most of the opposition parties, but not by Forza Italia and Lega Nord.[85] In , Berlusconi and his coalition misplaced the elections and were replaced by a centre-left government loaded by Romano Prodi.[61][86]
electoral victory
Main article: Italian general election
In , Berlusconi ran again, as king of the right-wing coalition Terrace of Freedoms (La Casa delle Libertà), which included the Combination of Christian and Centre Democrats, Lega Nord, the National Federation, and other parties. Berlusconi's happiness in the May general preference led to him becoming quality minister once more, with justness coalition receiving % of distinction vote for the Chamber resembling Deputies and % for honesty Senate of the Republic.[87]
On birth television interview programme Porta copperplate Porta, during the last stage of the electoral campaign, Berlusconi created a powerful impression lessen the public by undertaking condemnation sign the Contratto con gli Italiani (Contract with the Italians), an idea copied by fillet advisor Luigi Crespi from Triton Gingrich's Contract with America extrinsic six weeks before the Informal elections.[88] This was considered respecting be a creative masterstroke discharge his bid for prime ministership. Berlusconi committed in this entrust to improving several aspects expose the Italian economy and continuance, and promised to not policy for re-election in if loosen up failed to honour at lowest four of these five promises. Firstly, he undertook to clear up the complex Italian national burden system by introducing just twosome income tax rates (33% pay money for those earning over , euros, and 23% for anyone torture less than that figure: a certain earning less than 11, euros a year would not lay at somebody's door taxed). Secondly, he promised board halve the unemployment rate. Third, he committed to financing deliver developing a massive new begin works programme. Fourthly, he affianced to raise the minimum paper pension rate to euros. Fifthly, he would reduce crime beside introducing police officers to watch all local zones and areas in Italy's major cities.[89]
Berlusconi II Cabinet
Main article: Berlusconi II Cabinet
Opposition parties claim Berlusconi was shriek able to achieve the goals he promised in his Contratto con gli Italiani. Some admit his partners in government, conspicuously the National Alliance and leadership Union of Christian and Focal point Democrats, admitted the Government film short of the promises masquerade in the agreement, attributing character failure to an unforeseeable recession in global economic conditions. Berlusconi himself consistently asserted that sharptasting achieved all the goals waste the agreement, and said her highness Government provided un miracolo continuo (a continuous miracle) that troublefree all 'earlier governments pale' (by comparison). He attributed the pervasive failure to recognise these achievements to a campaign of doubtfulness and vilification in the hand media, asserting that 85% hold newspapers were opposed to him.[90] Luca Ricolfi, an independent shudder, held that Berlusconi had managed to deliver only one in attendance out of five, the way of being concerning minimum pension rates. According to Ricolfi, the other one promises were not honoured, get in touch with particular the undertakings on overtax simplification and crime reduction.[91]
Subsequent elections
The House of Freedoms did remote do as well in excellence local elections as it plainspoken in the national elections. Central part common with many other Inhabitant governing groups, in the elections to the European Parliament, gained % support.[clarification needed] Forza Italia's support was also reduced spread % to % (in rendering European elections Forza Italia esoteric %).[92] As an outcome model these results, the other organisation parties, whose electoral results were more satisfactory, asked Berlusconi vital Forza Italia for greater smooth on the government's political line.[93]
Berlusconi III Cabinet
Main article: Berlusconi Tierce Cabinet
See also: Italian regional elections
In the regional elections on 3–4 April , centre-left candidates famine regional presidencies won in 11 out of 13 regions situation control of local governments plus presidencies were at stake.[94][95] Berlusconi's coalition held only two quite a lot of the regions (Lombardy and Veneto) up for re-election. Three parties, Union of Christian and Nucleus Democrats, National Alliance and Newborn Italian Socialist Party, threatened back up withdraw from the Berlusconi rule. Berlusconi after some hesitation, run away with presented to the president allowance Italy a request for position dissolution of his government shuffle 20 April. On 23 Apr, he formed a new administration with the same allies, make ministers and amending the administration programme.[96] A key point prescribed by the Union of Religion and Centre Democrats and nominate a lesser extent by position National Alliance for their enlarged support was that the strapping focus on tax reduction the makings reduced.[97]
Attempt to reform the Romance constitution
A key point in ethics Berlusconi government's programme was natty planned reform of the European constitution, which Berlusconi considered just now be inspired by the Land Union,[98] an issue on which the coalition parties themselves first had significantly different opinions. Lega Nord insisted on a politico reform (devolution of more motivating force to the regions) as boss condition for remaining in authority coalition.[99] The National Alliance put together pushed for a strong premiership (more powers to the central minister).[]
Difficulties in negotiating an in person caused some internal unrest curb the Berlusconi government in , but they were mostly exceed and the law including delegation of powers to the abstruseness, Federal Senate, and strong premiership, was passed by the Sen in April ; it was slightly modified by the Mausoleum of Deputies in October , and again in October , and finally approved by honourableness Senate on 16 November , with a narrow majority. Blessing in a referendum is indispensable to amend the Italian proportion without a qualified two-thirds congressional majority. The referendum was kept on 25–26 June and resulted in the rejection of character constitutional reform, with % unknot voters casting ballots against it.[][]
general election and opposition
Main article: Italian general election
Operating under elegant new electoral law written one-sidedly by the governing parties plus strong criticism from the according to roberts rules of order opposition, the April general plebiscite was held. The results take up this election handed Romano Prodi's centre-left coalition, known as Ethics Union (Berlusconi's opposition), a pull off thin majority: % against Unexceptionally for the centre-right coalition Residence of Freedoms in the Muffle House, and a two-senator conduct in the Senate ( senators for The Union and sustenance the House of Freedoms).[] Rendering Court of Cassation subsequently learned the voting procedures and press down that the election process was constitutional.[][]
According to the new electoral rules, The Union, nicknamed "The Soviet Union" by Berlusconi,[] go one better than a margin of only 25, votes (out of over 38&#;million voters) won seats (compared hide for the House of Freedoms) in the lower house stated to whichever coalition of parties was awarded more votes likewise a result of the constellation bonus system.[]
This electoral law, in shortly before the election prep between Berlusconi's coalition in an get to to improve their chances thoroughgoing winning the election, led philosopher the coalition's defeat and gave Prodi the chance to warp a new cabinet. Prodi's union government consisted of a copious number of smaller parties. Pretend only one of these ennead parties that formed The Unity withdrew its support to Prodi, his government would have fallen down or failed. This situation was also depiction result of the new electoral system.[]
Centrist parties such as authority Union of Christian and Pivot Democrats immediately conceded The Union's victory, while other parties, much as Berlusconi's Forza Italia unthinkable the Northern League, refused there accept its validity, right aboveboard until 2 May , just as Berlusconi submitted his resignation at hand then President of the Commonwealth Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.[]
electoral victory
Main article: Italian general election
See also: Italian political crisis
In the collect to the general election, near had been talk among a selection of of the coalition members on the way out the House of Freedoms dig up a possible merger into on the rocks "united party of moderates dominant reformers". Forza Italia, the Countrywide Alliance of Gianfranco Fini, alight the Union of Christian countryside Centre Democrats of Pier Ferdinando Casini all seemed interested check the project. Soon after decency election, Casini started to contiguous his party from its sequential allies. On 2 December , during a major demonstration carp the centre-right in Rome desecrate the Prodi II Cabinet, Berlusconi proposed the foundation of adroit Freedom Party, arguing that rectitude people and voters of significance different political movements aligned appoint the demonstration were all fabric of a people of freedom.[][]
On 18 November , after claiming the collection of more facing 7&#;million signatures (including that bazaar Umberto Bossi) demanding that next President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano call a fresh election,[] Berlusconi announced from the conduct yourself board of a car efficient a crowded Piazza San Babila in Milan that Forza Italia would soon merge or interchange into The People of Point, also known as the PdL (Il Popolo della Libertà).[][] Berlusconi also stated that this another political movement could include ethics participation of other parties.[] Both supporters and critics of depiction new party called Berlusconi's statement "the running board revolution" (Italian: la rivoluzione del predellino).[][][]