Berlusconi improves his appearance on the Forza Italia stage. The applause of Montecitorio-Corriere.it

The pair of lifts in building Q of the San Raffaele leads directly in front of the entrance to the intensive care unit where Silvio Berlusconi has been hospitalized since Wednesday 5 April for pneumonia which arose as a complication of chronic leukemia. The door is open but constantly guarded to prevent fans and onlookers from setting foot in the ward. On the other hand, visits from family and friends continue, albeit at a slower pace than in the first few days. A sign of a climate of less apprehension among those close to the leader of Forza Italia.

Early in the morning, Orazio Fascina arrives at the hospital, Martha’s father. The blue deputy, Berlusconi’s companion, has never been seen leaving via Olgettina. Shortly after lunch it’s Luigi’s turn, the former prime minister’s youngest son. As done on other occasions, as he drives away he nods from behind the window to answer anyone who asks him if his father is better.

In the late afternoon the two eldest sons return, Marina and Pier Silvio, and stay until dinner time. The billboard “Come on Silvio, Salento is with you” that Marco Macrì, a 31-year-old supporter of Berlusconi, had placed near one of the entrances, has disappeared. Arrived last Friday after a 10-hour train journey from Puglia, the fan yesterday left for Rome, where he works. But he promised to return in time for the ex premier’s resignation.

The two banners of encouragement remain on the San Raffaele gate, just as the messages of support from the world of politics continue. The Chamber of Deputies applauds when the FI deputy Paolo Emilio Russo recalls the commitment of the blue president in support of the construction of the bridge over the Strait of Messina and sends him best wishes for a speedy recovery.

From Rome, on the sidelines of the ceremony for the 171 years of the state police, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister Antonio Tajani adds some details on the leader’s health conditions: “The course is going well – he says -, the doctors are satisfied with how he reacts to treatment. It’s a good thing that things are improving.” And he relaunched, hoping for Berlusconi’s participation in the party convention to be held in less than a month: «On 5 and 6 May there will be a great Forza Italia event in Milan and we hope to have him on stage». Support also comes from across the border. Again Tajani lets it be known that “during a meeting of the EPP, there was an affectionate greeting from President Weber”, who sent Berlusconi “wishes for a speedy recovery”. Optimistic Paolo Barelli, at the helm of the Azzurri deputies: “I think the doctors will soon have to do to keep the president hospitalized, knowing him they will have to tie him to the bed”. A new medical bulletin is expected for today.