MFE-MEDIAFOREUROPE N.V. By
It had seemed that this would never happen, since Berlusconi has been an integral part of Italian politics for the last three decades, a period during which he weathered all sorts of controversies and entered Italian homes virtually every day via television.
His family held a strictly private wake for him at his villa in the town of Arcore, on the outskirts of
On Wednesday afternoon, his casket was transported across the city by hearse to the cathedral, where his five childen - Marina, Pier Silvio, Barbara, Eleonora and Luigi - were waiting, along with his most recent girlfriend, 33-year-old lawmaker
The casket was accorded full military honors and the flags on the plaza - and across
In the street, which was closed off with metal gates, thousands of Berlusconi's supporters had been waiting since early in the day despite the heat, and they burst into cheers as soon as the hearse drove up.
"One president, there's only one president," hundreds of his soccer fans chanted, grateful for the dozens of trophies in the sport that Berlusconi - the former owner of the
Inside the gothic cathedral, more than 2,000 people were waiting, among them politicians - both allies and adversaries - businessmen, government officials from
The casket was placed before the altar amid white and red flowers, their green leaves adding the third color of the Italian flag, and with an official photo of Berlusconi prominently on display.
A short distance away, in the front pew along with family members was Fascina, who was with Berlusconi during his recent health difficulties and right up until the end.
Next to her were the billionaire's five children, with his eldest daughter Marina, the president of the family holding company Fininvest, caressing the overwrought Fascina on the shoulder.
Pier Silvio, the head of the
In the vicinity was Prime Minister
Among the others attending the funeral service was European economic commissioner and former Italian Prime Minister
Monsignor
"Certainly, Berlusconi was a politician, a businessman, a notorious character, but at this moment of farewell and prayer, what can we say about him? That he was a man. (He had) a desire for life, love and joy. This is what we can say about him, that he was a man who will now meet God," Delpini declared.
The state funeral, broadcast live on Italian public TV, closes the "Era of Berlusconi," a charismatic politician who emerged on the national scene in 1994 after the collapse of the
But the end of the era is also the beginning of an uncertain period for the magnate's business and political empire.
In the first place, the future of his huge business empire worth more than
But Berlusconi's long shadow will continue to influence national politics, with nobody knowing at this stage what will happen with Forza Italia, for which 8 percent of Italians cast their votes last year - down from 14 percent in 2018 - and which is currently leaderless.
Although the party is going through hard times at present, having lost great influence, it is still important to Meloni's conservative coalition.
That may be why, as soon as Berlusconi's death became known, the premier quickly promised that her government would survive and that she would continue to work to achieve the goals she had set for herself with Berlusconi, who was always focused on how to achieve and exercise political power.
Reportedly, Berlusconi's body will be cremated and his ashes interred in the family mausoleum on the grounds of his villa in Arcore.
EFE gsm/mr/bp
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