Controversy Over Renaming Milan Airport After Silvio Berlusconi
Far-right League leader Matteo Salvini's proposal to rename Milan's Malpensa Airport after former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has sparked significant controversy. Announced on a live television broadcast last Friday, Salvini, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport in Giorgia Meloni's government, expressed his readiness to sign the decision in memory of Berlusconi, whom he described as a 'great entrepreneur, great Milanese, and great Italian.'
The move has faced immediate backlash for its lack of consultation with local authorities. Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala, openly criticized Salvini for making such an important decision unilaterally. Sala questioned why the decision was not discussed with SEA, the management company of Milan airports, where the municipality is represented, emphasizing that such decisions should not be made hastily.
Divisive Legacy of Silvio Berlusconi
The controversy extends beyond procedural concerns to Berlusconi's polarizing legacy. While his contributions to Milan, including his tenure as chairman of AC Milan, are undeniable, his political maneuvers, legal troubles, and infamous 'bunga-bunga' parties make him a contentious figure. Berlusconi, who passed away in 2023, faced numerous trials related to his controversial receptions and had a reputation for relationships with much younger women, including call girls.
The Democratic Party, Italy's main left-wing opposition party, has proposed alternative names for the airport, arguing that Berlusconi's biography does not align with the values they uphold. A petition on Change.org to prevent the renaming has gathered nearly 50,000 signatures in just 48 hours. Additionally, the left-wing union CGIL has suggested naming the airport after Carla Fracci, an Italian ballet legend from Milan, to avoid choices that could deepen societal divisions.
- Local elected officials and the public are expressing strong opinions on the proposal to rename Milan's Malpensa Airport after Silvio Berlusconi. The lack of consultation with local authorities has been a major point of contention, with Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala, voicing his disapproval.
- The Democratic Party has been vocal in its opposition, suggesting alternative names for the airport. A petition on Change.org has quickly gained traction, reflecting widespread public discontent. The left-wing union CGIL has proposed naming the airport after Carla Fracci, highlighting her contributions to Italian culture and her connection to Milan.
