On June 12, after a prolonged illness, former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi passed away. A controversial figure in Italian politics, Berlusconi continues to divide Italians after his death, too. While many on the left reflect on his negative legacy, the far-right leaders of the current government, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her deputy, Matteo Salvini, have been visibly moved by his passing.They owe him a lot: Berlusconi laid the ground for the triumph of right-wing populist politics in Italy. But his legacy has had an impact far beyond Italian borders. His brand of populism, which attacked democratic institutions and twisted the truth, was a harbinger of the post-truth era that would emerge two decades later. His public image and political tactics undoubtedly inspired the likes of Donald Trump in the United States.Using his credentials as a successful businessman, Berlusconi entered politics in 1994 advocating for free market economic policies that would fix Italy’s problems accumulated after decades of what he called “illiberal” state intervention in the economy. His obsession with freedom from the control of the state led him to name his centre-right political alliance the “Pole for Freedoms”. His programme promised lower taxes for all and deregulation in most sectors of the economy to kick-start Italy’s growth after prolonged stagnation and growing public debt.
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