Berlusconi backtracks on party's old name
Source: Agencies |
July 17, 2012, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FORMER Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi suggested yesterday that he will attempt a return to power - using the old party name that brought him into politics two decades ago.
In an interview in Germany's Bild daily, Berlusconi said he is asked "often and emphatically" to step back into the political ring. "I can only say I won't let my old People of Freedom Party down. We will soon return to the old party name by the way, 'Forza Italia' (Go Italy)."
Berlusconi came to power in 1994 using the catchy soccer chant as his motto, and he dominated Italy's political scene until he was forced to resign in November with the country in financial shambles and a personal legacy tarnished by sex and corruption scandals.
By yesterday afternoon, though, enough of his political allies had criticized the name change to compel Berlusconi to issue a statement backing down, saying his was just a proposal, not a solid decision by the party.
In a way it was classic Berlusconi revisionism: the interview with the name change quote was posted verbatim on his website, yet Berlusconi insisted he had been misunderstood.
In recent days, members of Berlusconi's inner circle have spoken openly that the media mogul would run in elections next spring. On Sunday, his onetime political heir, Angelino Alfano, essentially admitted he would step aside to make way for a new Berlusconi run.
But even Alfano hinted that the name change was a bad idea, noting that the People of Freedom party was a beloved "project" that involved millions of Italians.
In an interview in Germany's Bild daily, Berlusconi said he is asked "often and emphatically" to step back into the political ring. "I can only say I won't let my old People of Freedom Party down. We will soon return to the old party name by the way, 'Forza Italia' (Go Italy)."
Berlusconi came to power in 1994 using the catchy soccer chant as his motto, and he dominated Italy's political scene until he was forced to resign in November with the country in financial shambles and a personal legacy tarnished by sex and corruption scandals.
By yesterday afternoon, though, enough of his political allies had criticized the name change to compel Berlusconi to issue a statement backing down, saying his was just a proposal, not a solid decision by the party.
In a way it was classic Berlusconi revisionism: the interview with the name change quote was posted verbatim on his website, yet Berlusconi insisted he had been misunderstood.
In recent days, members of Berlusconi's inner circle have spoken openly that the media mogul would run in elections next spring. On Sunday, his onetime political heir, Angelino Alfano, essentially admitted he would step aside to make way for a new Berlusconi run.
But even Alfano hinted that the name change was a bad idea, noting that the People of Freedom party was a beloved "project" that involved millions of Italians.
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