Berlusconi’s melons clash with the history of government ministers

If it were to see the light of day next week, will the government of Giorgia Meloni have a solid majority? Will it last long? The doubts arise more and more strongly after the clash between Silvio Berlusconi and the Prime Minister in pectore.

In the first session of the new Senate on October 13, in which Ignazio La Russa was elected head of Palazzo Madama, a political battle unfolded entirely within the center-right, the coalition that should, soon after, constitute the majority of the Government. Forza Italia chose not to vote for La Russa – the ‘Rasputin’ of Giorgia Meloni – to which, however, twenty “sincere supporters” senators came to the rescue of the opposition in secret at the ballot box.

It seems that Berlusconi wanted to punish the Brothers in Italy for Meloni’s alleged veto over the presence in government of Licia Ronzulli, the former nurse who gave the party a boost by becoming the Prince’s most trusted adviser. But the knight did not succeed. The file he kept in plain sight on the counter – did he show it on purpose for the benefit of the cameras? – showed a list written with his own hand on the alleged “characteristics” of Giorgia Meloni. Berlusconi considers her “obstinate, arrogant, arrogant and offensive”. “Giorgia is someone who doesn’t want to change. She’s one of the people you can’t get along with,” Cav wrote.

Meloni and La Russa

Words worthy of a poisoned adversary more than an ally. Remarks to which the Prime Minister in pectore responded by raising the temperature of the clash. “There was one point missing from this list, which is not subject to blackmail,” said Giorgia Meloni, slipping into the car as reporters chased her trying to wring a statement about it from her. In the end, they got much more than they hoped for: a real declaration of war, politically speaking. The new President of the Senate himself, Ignazio La Russa, intervened on this subject. “I believe that President Berlusconi should declare what I am almost certain of, which is a fake. But he has to declare it, I can’t say it, ”commented the chef of Palazzo Madama.

Berlusconi and La Russa in the Senate on October 13. Photo Ansa / Alessandro Di Meo

Salvini and Tajani

“Everything will work out…” Matteo Salvini tried to throw water on the fire, claiming to have heard Berlusconi. And if the center-right was divided during the consultations in the Quirinal for the formation of the government? Will Forza Italia, in revolt against Meloni, give Mattarella a name different from that of the leader of the FdI for the prime minister in charge? “There was a little hiccup, in the space of 5 years it will be zero. It will be a good team”, limited himself to saying Salvini.

In the meantime, given the tensions with Berlusconi on the list of ministers, the Brothers of Italy would strengthen the axis with Salvini. Giorgia Meloni is also said to have opened a channel of communication with Antonio Tajani, the coordinator of Forza Italia who will almost certainly be Minister of Foreign Affairs. Admittedly, the first in pectore becomes nervous. The problem, in fact, is that in the parts of via della Scrofa, in the light of the Ronzulli affair and what happened in the Senate chamber, there is no longer suspicion but conviction that the Cav no longer holds the reins of its party. Hence the question: who counts in Forza Italia, the “falcons” of Licia Ronzulli or the “doves” of Antonio Tajani?

Antonio Tajani with Marta Fascina, partner of Berlusconi. Photo Ansa / Riccardo Antimiani