Adnkronos (Adnkronos) – For about ten years, she was Silvio Berlusconi's partner. Their relationship ended in March 2020, in the midst of lockdown. The separation was made official with a statement from Forza Italia. He previously married singer Paola Turci, but it ended in the summer of two years ago. Today, Francesca Pascale, born in 85, from Naples, is one of the founders (and former president) of the "Silvio, we miss you" committee. She has long been involved in the fight for civil and LGBT rights through her own association. She primarily deals with real estate investments, but has never lost her interest in politics.
Interviewed by Adnkronos, she recalls the figure of the Knight, who would have turned 90 tomorrow, and proposes, in homage to his memory, transforming Arcore (where his remains are) into a "place of remembrance," perhaps open to the public.
Tomorrow is the anniversary of the birth of the leader of Forza Italia. Do you miss him?
"Yes, we feel it a lot, but above all we miss the founding father, the leader, his charisma...
His absence from the political scene is greatly felt not only by Forza Italia members, but by the entire center-right, because the unifying force that united all the coalition's members is missing. Today, in fact, everyone is playing a personal game, each aiming to steal votes from the other..."
Something impossible in the Berlusconi era…
“Absolutely yes, given that he had the majority of votes, even if in the end Silvio put everyone under the same roof, because he had the interests of others at heart…”.
Which birthday you celebrated with the former prime minister do you particularly remember?
I vividly remember the first birthday I spent with him, 18 years ago. He was turning 70, and we celebrated it in Northern League territory, cutting the cake with his friend Bossi. It was the first birthday I was lucky enough to spend with him, and it's my favorite. His 80th birthday was also very beautiful, celebrated in Arcore with his entire family.
When he blew out the candles, did he say a ritual phrase?
“No, Silvio always joked: ‘We escaped this year too…’ He was always aware of his age and was grateful for life.”
What was his real regret?
“Besides the legal issues that haunted him, his true political regret, which he considered a torment, was that he had never managed to obtain 51 percent with a single party, Forza Italia… . He cared deeply about it; for him, it was a challenge he hadn't achieved.”
Did Berlusconi love Naples?
"He was Neapolitan at heart. He made sure to emphasize at every opportunity that he was a Neapolitan born in the North. Believe me, he couldn't even stand to cheer against Napoli, and when we won our third Scudetto under Spalletti, he was truly happy for the city and all the fans."
Is it true that he didn't bring any anti-jinx croissants with him, and in this he remained a Milanese all of a piece?
“He preferred a little cross to the classic croissant, I prefer God to superstition, he said.”
To commemorate Berlusconi, could Villa San Martino be opened to the public so that his tomb could be visited?
"I hope so. This should be allowed, because people are so homesick, and a place like Arcore would make everyone who loved it so happy."
So, what does he propose?
"Arcore could be transformed into a place of remembrance for Berlusconi."
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