Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted to the death of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
In an update on his Facebook account, Rama writes: “Farewell President and friend of Albania”.
President Bajram Begaj took to Twitter to react to Berlusconi’s death: “Sad news! The friend of Albanians, Silvio Berlusconi is dead. Rest in peace!”
Lajm i trishtë! Miku i shqiptarëve, Silvio Berlusconi, ndahet nga jeta. U prehtë në paqe!
Notizia triste! L'amico degli albanesi, Silvio Berlusconi, è venuto a mancare oggi. Che la sua anima riposi in pace!
— Bajram Begaj (@BajramBegajAL) June 12, 2023
Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha has described the passing of Silvio Berlusconi as a great loss for the Italian nation and the center-right parties.
“It is a great loss for Albania and Kosovo, which he supported and stood firmly with in critical moments. In numerous meetings I had with him in Italy, Albania, and Europe, I felt his close friendship towards Albanians, his respect for our nation. On this occasion, while expressing my immeasurable gratitude for his friendship towards me, towards Albania and the Albanian nation, towards the Democratic Party, I extend my deepest condolences to the Berlusconi family, friends, and relatives of the immortal Knight,” Berisha said during a press conference this Monday.
Leader of the Freedom Party Ilir Meta also took to his Facebook account to express his condolences: “Deeply saddened by the passing of President Silvio Berlusconi, admired for his inspirational leadership! Appreciating his extraordinary contribution to the all-round strengthening of the excellent relations between Albania and Italy, I am convinced that he will always be remembered with respect. My deepest condolences to the family and the Italian people for this great loss.”
Former Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha also took to his Twitter to express his sorrow: “Deeply saddened by the passing of Silvio Berlusconi, an innovative politician and a brilliant entrepreneur, who modernized the Italian right and guided it with foresight into a period of great transformations. Thanks also to your contribution, Albania and Italy have strengthened their historical ties by laying the foundations of the strategic relationship between the two countries, especially in our most difficult moments, when its support and that of its governments has never been lacking in our Euro-Atlantic path. My deepest condolences to his family, to Forza Italia and to the Italian people on the loss of one of the most important statesmen of our time. Rest in peace!”
Profondamente addolorato per la scomparsa di Silvio Berlusconi, un politico innovatore e un imprenditore geniale, che ha modernizzato la destra italiana guidandola con lungimiranza in un periodo di grandi trasformazioni. Grazie a anche al suo contributo, pic.twitter.com/2RfhLJbljC
— Lulzim Basha (@lulzimbasha_al) June 12, 2023
“Farewell President” wrote Democrat deputy Jorida Tabaku on her Facebook account, following the news.
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi passed away this Monday at the age of 86.
The former Italian premier died at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, according to Italian media reports.
He was a billionaire businessman who built Italy’s largest media company before transforming the country’s political landscape.
Berlusconi shaped Italian politics for several decades.
He managed to make a political comeback despite sex scandals and corruption allegations.
As a right-wing populist, he served as prime minister four times, with several interruptions, from 1994 to 2011.
He led the center-right party Forza Italia, which entered a coalition under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the September 2022 elections, where he himself was elected to the upper house of Italy, the Senate.
Berlusconi had health issues over the years. In April, he underwent treatment for a lung infection related to a previously undisclosed case of chronic leukemia.
In late 2020, he contracted the coronavirus, and in 2016, he underwent heart surgery.
Italian media broke the news of his death.
