Despite age and illness: Berlusconi wants to continue to lead party Activists pour black paint into Rome’s famous Trevi Fountain

Despite his illness and old age, former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi wants to continue to lead the conservative government party Forza Italia.

During his 45-day hospitalization, the party leadership acted appropriately. “But they are and will not be alone, as I will of course continue to assume my full responsibilities as founder and president of Forza Italia, as I always have,” the 86-year-old told Corriere della Sera newspaper on Monday.

However, he vaguely announced a renewal of the party. A key promise of Forza Italia is to transform Italian politics from the ground up. “But for the renewal to be credible, we must first renew ourselves.” That has always been done and will continue to be done. It is also unclear who would take over the leadership of the party if Berlusconi was no longer at the helm – perhaps through death. So far he has avoided appointing suitable successors.

Berlusconi was released from hospital on Friday. He came to the clinic for pneumonia in early April and was also treated for chronic leukemia. He was in intensive care for about two weeks. But now he’s doing better. “It was tough, but I was always confident,” he said.

In Italy, a right-wing alliance has been in power since October, consisting of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s ultra-right Fratelli d’Italia, the conservative Forza Italia and Matteo Salvini’s right-wing populist Lega.

Media magnate Berlusconi shaped Italian politics for decades. He was Prime Minister four times from 1994 to 2011 with interruptions. Today he sits in the Senate, the smaller of the two chambers of parliament. He has struggled with poor health for years and has been hospitalized several times. (oee/sda/dpa)