Owais Crawford
Milan's Malpensa Airport, Italy's second busiest airport, is named after Silvio Berlusconi, a three-time prime minister of Italy. The decision to name the airport after Berlusconi was confirmed by Matteo Salvini, Italy's deputy prime minister and minister of infrastructure and transport. The decision sparked controversy, with some Italians expressing anger and starting petitions against the move, citing Berlusconi's numerous criminal convictions and controversial legacy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Silvio Berlusconi |
| Who was Silvio Berlusconi | Three-time Prime Minister of Italy |
| When was the airport named after him | 11 July 2024 |
| Who approved the name change | Italian minister of infrastructure and transport, Matteo Salvini |
| Who requested the name change | The regional government of Lombardy |
| Who is the airport owned by | MilanAirports |
| Was the name change controversial | Yes |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Silvio Berlusconi's career
Milan Malpensa Airport was renamed in honour of Italy's former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi in 2024. The decision was confirmed by Matteo Salvini, Italy's deputy prime minister and minister of infrastructure and transport.
Silvio Berlusconi was a flamboyant, charismatic, and divisive figure in Italian politics. He was a billionaire and a media mogul who served as prime minister of Italy for a total of nine years across three terms. This duration of service is longer than anyone since the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. Berlusconi was known for his controversial right-wing views and often landed in court over his career. He was tried on various charges, including bribery, corruption, tax evasion, and having sex with an underage prostitute. He was eventually convicted of tax fraud and was embroiled in countless sex scandals. Despite the controversies, Berlusconi was admired by many for his charisma, entrepreneurial skills, and contributions to Italy's political and economic landscapes.
Berlusconi's career began in the 1960s when he started his own business, Cantieri Riuniti Milanesi, which focused on real estate development. He then founded a cable television company, Telemilano, in 1973, which later became a media conglomerate, Fininvest. In 1980, he founded Italy's first commercial television network, Canale 5, and subsequently expanded his media empire to include multiple television channels, newspapers, magazines, and publishing companies.
Berlusconi entered politics in the early 1990s, founding the centre-right political party Forza Italia in 1994. He served as prime minister of Italy from 1994 to 1995, from 2001 to 2006, and again from 2008 to 2011. During his time in office, he implemented economic reforms, privatised state-owned industries, and cut taxes. He also faced criticism for his handling of conflicts of interest between his business and political interests.
After stepping down as prime minister, Berlusconi remained active in politics, serving as a member of the Italian Parliament and continuing to lead his political party. He was expelled from the Italian Senate in 2013 due to his tax fraud conviction but remained influential within his party. Berlusconi's political career spanned over two decades, and he played a significant role in shaping Italy's political landscape during that time.
Airport Excellence: Playa Mujeres' Guide to the Best Experience
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The decision to rename Malpensa Airport
On 5 July 2024, Italian minister of infrastructure and transport Matteo Salvini announced that Malpensa Airport would be renamed after former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. The decision was made following the approval of a request by the Lombardy regional government from 2023 by the board of directors of the country's National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC).
Those against the name change argue that the airport deserves a name that embodies values of honesty, integrity, and service to the community, which they believe Berlusconi does not reflect due to his criminal convictions and controversial reputation. A petition by the left-wing Young Democrats of Lombardy group calling for a reconsideration of the decision has garnered over 16,000 signatures.
However, Berlusconi's supporters hold different views. They praise him for his charisma, entrepreneurial skills, and significant contributions to Italy's political and economic landscapes. Despite the controversy, Salvini is determined to ensure that the name change goes ahead.
Airport Time Capsule: A NAS Device for Apple Users
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Controversy surrounding Berlusconi
Milan Malpensa Airport was renamed in honour of Italy’s former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in 2024. The decision, announced by Italy’s deputy prime minister and minister of infrastructure and transport, Matteo Salvini, caused a huge row.
Berlusconi was a controversial figure in Italian politics, known for his often controversial right-wing views. He was tried on charges including bribery, corruption, tax evasion, and having sex with an underage sex worker. He was eventually convicted of tax fraud and embroiled in countless sex scandals.
Controversies surrounding Berlusconi
Corruption and Conflict of Interest
Berlusconi was investigated for forty different inquests in less than two years after entering politics. He was criticised for his extensive control over the media, owning three of the seven national TV channels and indirectly controlling the national broadcasting company RAI. He was also accused of using his media and marketing power for political gain, passing laws that benefited him financially, and failing to honour his promise to sell off his personal assets to avoid conflicts of interest.
Sex Scandals
Berlusconi was involved in numerous sex scandals, including the "bunga bunga" parties held at his Arcore villa near Milan. He was accused of paying an underage prostitute for sex and abusing his powers in an ensuing cover-up. He was initially found guilty and sentenced to seven years in jail, but the verdict was later overturned on appeal.
Offensive Comments
Berlusconi often made offensive comments, such as insulting Finnish food and making a shooting gesture towards a journalist at a press conference. He also caused controversy by defending Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini and referring to US President Barack Obama as "young, handsome and even tanned".
Connections with the Mafia
There were also allegations of connections with the Sicilian Mafia, although Berlusconi was never tried on these charges.
Turkey's Thriving Aviation: Exploring Its Many Airports
You may want to see also
Opposition to the renaming
The decision to rename Malpensa Airport after Silvio Berlusconi has faced significant opposition from various groups and individuals. Berlusconi, a three-time prime minister and media mogul, was a highly divisive figure in Italian politics, known for his immense wealth, media empire, and a political career marked by numerous scandals.
One of the main opposition groups is the Democratic Party (PD), led by Milan's centre-left mayor, Beppe Sala. They argue that Berlusconi's polarising legacy makes him an inappropriate namesake for a major international airport. An online petition initiated by the Young Democrats of Lombardy and supported by the Democratic Party has garnered over 16,000-170,000 signatures, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the renaming. The petition calls on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to intervene and stop the renaming, emphasising that Berlusconi remains a controversial figure even after his death in 2023 at the age of 86.
Milan's city council has also decided to legally challenge the Italian government's decision, announcing that the approval from the civil aviation authority (ENAC) was rushed and bypassed important consultations with key stakeholders, including SEA, the company that manages Milan's airports, and surrounding municipalities. Mayor Sala's centre-left administration plans to file the appeal with the Lombardy Regional Administrative Court (TAR), indicating a potential protracted political battle over the airport's naming rights.
The opposition to the renaming highlights the complexities of honouring historical figures in public spaces, especially those with contested legacies. Critics argue that Malpensa, serving as a gateway for millions of travellers, should not be associated with a figure whose past remains deeply controversial. The controversy surrounding the airport's new moniker underscores the challenges of commemorating individuals with complex pasts and the potential impact on regional identities, tourism, and local political dynamics.
Additionally, the opposition has voiced concerns about the legal aspects of the decision. According to Italian law, a public place, including an airport, cannot be named after a person sooner than ten years after their death. As Berlusconi passed away in June 2023, the renaming has potentially violated this legal timeframe.
Ola's Availability at Dehradun Airport: A Traveler's Guide
You may want to see also
Date of the renaming
On 5 July 2024, Italian minister of infrastructure and transport, Matteo Salvini, announced that Malpensa Airport would officially be renamed after former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. The name change was approved by the board of directors of Italy's National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) and came after a request by the regional government of Lombardy in 2023.
The decision to rename the airport in honour of Berlusconi, a flamboyant, charismatic, and divisive figure, has caused significant controversy and sparked an outcry in Italy. Berlusconi, a billionaire media mogul, died in June of the previous year at the age of 86. He was a controversial right-wing figure who served as prime minister of Italy three times and was the longest-serving prime minister since Benito Mussolini. He was known for his often controversial views and appeared in court multiple times on various charges, including bribery, corruption, tax evasion, and having sex with an underage prostitute. He was eventually convicted of tax fraud.
Opponents of the name change argue that the airport deserves a name that embodies values of honesty, integrity, and service to the community, which they believe Berlusconi does not reflect due to his criminal convictions. A petition against the renaming has garnered over 16,000 signatures.
Despite the controversy, Salvini is determined that the change will go ahead, and ENAC officially changed the name to Aeroporto internazionale Milano Malpensa "Silvio Berlusconi" on 11 July 2024.
Exploring Lyon's Airport Infrastructure: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Malpensa Airport is named after Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's former prime minister.
Matteo Salvini, Italy's deputy prime minister and minister of infrastructure and transport, confirmed the name change. Salvini said officials from the Lombardy region—where the airport is based—had requested the change.
Yes, the decision was met with anger and caused a huge row. A petition launched by the left-wing Young Democrats of Lombardy group calling for a reconsideration of the decision reached more than 16,000 signatures.
