UPDATE - Condolences pour in over death of Italy's Berlusconi

By Giovanni Legorano

UPDATES WITH MORE REACTIONS: MATTARELLA, DRAGHI, PUTIN, METSOLA

ROME (AA) - Condolences poured in on Monday over the death of Silvio Berlusconi, Italy’s longest-serving prime minister, who dominated the country’s politics for two decades amid a series of scandals.

The billionaire media mogul was admitted to the hospital and was getting treatment for leukemia. He was 86.

Current Italian President Sergio Mattarella said in a statement: “Berlusconi has been a great political leader who marked the history of our Republic, influencing paradigms, customs, and language.”

The president recalled Berlusconi’s long political career, in which he addressed events of a global scale as prime minister, such as the 9-11 attacks in the US, the fight against international terrorism, and the financial turbulence in the early 2000s.

"He was a person equipped with great humanity and a businessman of success, an innovator in his field,” he added.

Reacting to the news, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a video message: “Silvio Berlusconi was most of all a fighter. He was a man who has never been fearful of defending his convictions.”

“His courage and determination were exactly what made him one of the most influential men in Italy’s history.

“With him we have fought, won and lost many battles. We will achieve the objectives that together we had determined also for him. Farewell Silvio,” she said.

Antonio Tajani, Italy's foreign minister and political coordinator of Forza Italia, the party Berlusconi founded 30 years ago, said in a tweet: “An immense sorrow. Simply thank you President, thank you Silvio.”

Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini called Berlusconi “a great man and a great Italian."

Observing a minute of silence at a public meeting in the northern town of Novara, Salvini, who is also leader of the right-wing League party, said: “Most of all, today I lost a great friend.”

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto called the loss a “great, huge sorrow.”

“It’s the end of an era,” said Crosetto. “I loved him very much. Farewell Silvio.”

-'Everyone must acknowledge his impact'

Former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said Berlusconi made history in Italy.

“Many loved him, many hated him: today everyone must acknowledge that his impact not only on political life but also on the economy, sport and television has been unprecedented.”

Former Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who headed a government also supported by Berlusconi’s party, praised the man’s innovative role in business and politics.

“As an entrepreneur, he revolutionized the world of communication and sport, with an extraordinary drive for innovation and initiative. As a political leader he transformed politics and has been loved by millions of Italians for his humanity and charisma,” Draghi said, sending his condolences to his family, political party, and employees of his companies.

Many messages from outside Italy poured in as well.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, who was a close friend of Berlusconi, said in a message of condolences posted on Telegram that Berlusconi will be remembered in Russia as a consistent and principled supporter of strengthening friendly relations between our countries.

“For me, Silvio was a dear person, a true friend. I have always sincerely admired his wisdom, his ability to make balanced, far-sighted decisions even in the most difficult situations.

“During each of our meetings, I was literally charged with his incredible vitality, optimism, and sense of humor. His death is an irreparable loss and great sorrow,” he wrote.

Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament, hailed Berlusconi as a protagonist of political life in Italy and Europe for generations.

“A father, an entrepreneur, a member of the European Parliament, prime minister and senator. He left his mark and won’t be forgotten,” she said.​​​​​​​