Italian Political Leader Silvio Berlusconi Has Died

June 12, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)—Silvio Berlusconi died today at 86 years of age after having been hospitalized on Friday, June 9, officially for a planned check-up after his last therapy cycle (he suffered from leukemia and pneumonia). Berlusconi’s condition rapidly deteriorated this morning.

Berlusconi’s death will have political repercussions. His party, Forza Italia, does not have a successor, and many fear that it will split in several directions. This should not, but could, compromise the stability of the government coalition, which is composed of three parties: Fratelli d’Italia, Lega and Forza Italia. Under Berlusconi’s leadership, Forza Italia has been a relative moderating force on the anti-Russian policy of the government.

The Ukraine’s infamous Myrotvorets kill site has marked Berlusconi’s photo with “liquidated.” He was first targeted by Myrotvorets in 2015.