Silvio Berlusconi
Credit: J.M. Executive, Flickr
Italy´s second-busiest airport was renamed for the billionaire businessman-turned-politician, Silvio Berlusconi, despite growing opposition.
Milan´s Malpensa Airport was renamed to Milan-Malpensa Silvio Berlusconi on July 11, after receiving the approval of the civil aviation authority, despite widespread criticism.
The popular airport had 26 million passengers passing through in 2023 alone, according to Assaeroporti (Italian Association of Airport Operators), and will now be one of Italy´s famously named airports, Leonardo da Vinci, Marco Polo and Valerio Catullo.
As an Italian and a Lombard, I can´t wait to land at Malpensa Berlusconi, said The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini to the Press. A longtime friend of Berlusconi, the Minister announced his decision, describing Berlusconi as a friend Silvio, a great entrepreneur, a great Milanese, and a great Italian.
Many, however, did not share his enthusiasm; an online petition was formed against the new name, collecting more than 120,000 signatures. Social media became flooded with protesting comments, referencing Berlusconi´s infamous Bunga Bunga parties and numerous criminal records.
Italy´s longest-serving premier, Berlusconi died last year at age 86 and while he was admired by some, as seen placing Italy at the forefront of Europe, many regarded him as a power-hungry populist.
Milan´s centre-left Mayor, Beppe Sala stated in disdain; It s crazy that in Italy such a decision is made by a president of Enac. I cannot understand how politics correlates with such a way of doing things.
A counter-proposed was launched by an opposing union, suggesting that the name be changed to Carla Fracci, the renowned prima ballerina. The centre-left Democratic Party stated that the airport must be named after someone who embodies the values of honesty, integrity and community service.
The Party argued that Berlusconi does not reflect these values, as demonstrated by the numerous criminal convictions he received over the years.
The renaming has been an unprecedented case, for, by the norm, a period of 10 years has to pass before naming a place after a public figure. Being positioned in such a vital European point, however, the airport´s popularity is unlikely to falter.
Sign up for personalised news
Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox!
By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don’t already have one. Review our
Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.
Originally from Moscow, with Russian and Armenian origins, Anna has lived in Costa Blanca for over ten years. She is passionate about singing, acting and traveling.
Leave a comment Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Known as the PEOPLE’S PAPER, Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain. And it’s FREE!
Covering the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Almeria, Axarquia, Mallorca and beyond, EWN supports and inspires the individuals, neighbourhoods, and communities we serve, by delivering news with a social conscience. Whether it’s local news in Spain, UK news or international stories, we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home.
With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month, EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain. The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close.
Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP), Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall). All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers. All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE.
Sign up for personalised news
Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox!
By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don’t already have one. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.
Close
