Italy Milan airport to be named after Berlusconi
Milan Malpensa Airport now bears the name of the late politician Silvio Berlusconi after a court confirmed the renaming and attempts to reverse it failed.
11.11.2024, 13:05
11.11.2024, 13:06
SDA
Milan Malpensa Airport, a major hub for international air traffic, has officially been called Aeroporto Silvio Berlusconi since July. This decision was fast-tracked by the right-wing government in Rome, to which the Forza Italia party also belongs. Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who died in June 2023 at the age of 86, is a controversial figure in Italian politics.
The city council of Milan and several surrounding municipalities tried to reverse the renaming. They invoked a regulation which states that public buildings and squares may only bear the name of a famous person ten years after their death. However, the competent administrative court dismissed their appeal and confirmed the decision of the Minister of Transport, Matteo Salvini.
Berlusconi, a native of Milan, switched to politics in the 1990s as a construction and media entrepreneur and founded his own party. Internationally, he is regarded as one of the first successful right-wing populists who served as a role model for many. Despite his political successes, he remains a controversial figure, particularly due to numerous affairs and scandals that continue to spark debate about how he should be remembered.
The decision to name the airport after him reflects the ongoing political polarization in Italy. While some emphasize his merits, others see the renaming as a problematic glorification of his controversial personality.
