«We are the backbone of this government» The return of Berlusconi (and thanks to «Marta»)- Corriere.it

Milan «Here I am, I’m here for you». The image freezes for a few seconds. The blue people leap to their feet, the flags begin to fly, «president, president». Silvio Berlusconi is back. The founder’s body is there, offered for all to see. After 32 days of absence, the reassurance arrives: 21 minutes of video shot in the rooms of the San Raffaele where the Cavaliere is still hospitalized. His drawn face, his voice that occasionally gives way, his hands moving on the table. But also that return to normal which consists in wearing a shirt and a jacket again after a long time (“For the first time in a month”) and the offer of a perspective on the political future of the Azzurri: “Forza Italia is for us as a secular religion, the religion of freedom. Please – says Berlusconi – let’s go on like this, with conviction, enthusiasm and passion. Nobody will be able to defeat us, the Italians will consider us the saints of their freedom. I will be with you with the same commitment as in ’94». It is the myth of the founding of Forza Italia, which Berlusconi updates down to the smallest detail to indicate the path to follow in the present and in the future. “We are the essential and loyal pillar of this majority, we are the backbone of this government. This is why we are on the field, to ensure that his decisions are truly correct, fair and balanced».

It is the strongest political message of the day, because for the rest of the two days in Milan, more than a convention, it is a collective ritual seasoned with more than one clear eye in the room. The official master of ceremonies, Antonio Tajani, is moved. Inside the large spaces of the East End Studios, the new strong man in Lombardy, Alessandro Sorte, counts those present: «More than three thousand». There are the big names of FI, the illustrious guests such as Claudio Descalzi, Emanuele Orsini, Ettore Prandini. Curious presences, such as that of the Catholic Templars of Italy. There are those like Maurizio Gasparri who evoke parallels between the coronation of King Charles III and the return of the Knight. But everything fades into the background, when the giant screen behind the stage lights up. More than politics, it is the passages in which Berlusconi talks about the disease and the messages received that involve the audience. «In recent weeks I have felt the affection and participation of many people, including our political opponents, and of course I thank them all. But it is your affection, it is your embrace that has helped me the most to overcome a very dangerous pneumonia ». He thanks those who have been physically close to him in these 32 days: «My Marta who watched over». And the promise – the true heart of the rite staged yesterday – that he is there and will be there. Fundamental for a party like Forza Italia. «I knew that an important task awaits us and me. This is why I have never stopped, not even in recent weeks, I have worked on the new organization of the party and for this reason I am now ready to resume working with you, to fight our battles for freedom with you”. Despite the fatigue that transpires from the face and the words that occasionally stumble, the audience wants to believe it. He believes it. The applause starts and never stops. The big names take the stage, Lotito stumbles like his Lazio against Milan, Tajani takes the microphone: «Today FI wrote another extraordinary page of political history». Ite, missa est .

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