pneumonia, hospitalization, family visits – Corriere.it

Silvio Berlusconi he’s back in the hospital. A few days after the last hospitalization for “medical checks”, the leader of Forza Italia returned to the San Raffaele in Milan late yesterday morning. He was blamed for pneumonia which aggravated an already particularly delicate clinical picture, given the previous pathologies and the 86 years of age completed on 29 September last. His conditions are considered serious, so much so that all his children and closest friends ran to visit him within a few hours. His brother Paolo also joined him as soon as possible and spent the day in the hospital. “He’s stable, he’s a rock, he’ll make it this time too,” he tells the reporters who guard the hospital entrances, including a Swedish crew. “His mood? Ours is good », he adds, trying to instill optimism.

The alarm goes off just before noon. A malaise, shortness of breath, then the car journey in a hurry towards via Olgettina together with his partner Marta Fascina. The founder of Forza Italia entrusts himself as usual to the care of Alberto Zangrillo, his personal physician and director of intensive care. After a CAT scan and blood tests, once the lung infection has been ascertained, the primary doctor decides to transfer him to the ward on the basement floor of building Q. He is not intubated, but antibiotics are given. Hospitalization in intensive care is seen as a precautionary choice, to guarantee the patient an environment that is as protected as possible.

No official medical bulletin from San Raffaele. It is Antonio Tajani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who mentions some details on the state of health of the leader around 2 pm. “The problem concerning an infection had not been resolved, but he speaks,” he said on the sidelines of the NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels. Lots of messages of support, especially from the center-right world, which follow one another as the hours go by. The premier Giorgia Meloni tweets: «A sincere and affectionate wish for a speedy recovery to Silvio Berlusconi, admitted to the San Raffaele hospital in Milan. Come on Silvio». His words are accompanied by those of Ignazio La Russa, on behalf of him and of the Senate: an encouragement addressed to the “senator and friend”. It was precisely from colleagues in Palazzo Madama that applause was triggered when Berlusconi was called, which fell on deaf ears. Wishes for a speedy recovery also from the President of the Chamber Lorenzo Fontana. The same support comes from Anna Maria Bernini, minister of University and Research and national deputy coordinator of Forza Italia: «Come on, great president, as always we are all by your side. We look forward to seeing you very soon with all the enthusiasm and energy that inspire and teach us every day».

From the Northern League front, the deputy prime minister and minister Matthew Salvini he published on social networks a shot together with Berlusconi in Sardinia, accompanied by a caption: «Come on Silvio, Italy is waiting for you!». From Valditara to Crosetto, from Sangiuliano to Locatelli up to Santanché and Fitto, the government expresses solidarity. Matteo Renzi (Italia viva) sends a “big good luck” to Berlusconi, during the press conference in which he is presented as the new director of the Reformist, while Carlo Calenda (Action) defines him as a «lion».


From the Democratic Party, the group leader Francesco Boccia takes the opportunity to speak in the Chamber to send his best wishes. Support from MPs Andrea Orlando and Debora Serracchiani. Silence, however, from the exponents of the 5 Star Movement.