12/06/2023 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 12 June, several Christian Democrat politicians paid tribute to the memory of former Italian Prime Minister and MEP Silvio Berlusconi, founder of the Forza Italia party, current member of Italy’s governing coalition, and a personal friend of Vladimir Putin. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, spoke of his leadership during a complicated period of political transition. The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, said she was convinced that Mr Berlusconi had left his mark on the era and would not be forgotten. The chairman of the EPP group in the European Parliament, Manfred Weber, spoke of the ‘Cavaliere’s energy and commitment to defending “European ideals”. The death of Mr Berlusconi has also not left the Social Democrat Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for Economic Affairs, indifferent. He believes that the Italian entrepreneur has left a profound mark on the last few decades in Italy. (MB)