The astounding comments come as Berlusconi expressed unity with his right-wing allies Giorgia Meloni and Matteo Salvini on Thursday, promising a new era of stable government at a closing meeting in Rome.
The three leaders spoke from a podium with the slogan “Together, for Italy” at their first joint event in a campaign that saw them leading polls but also arguing over foreign and economic policies.
“We will build a solid, cohesive government with a strong people’s mandate, which will remain in power for five years,” said Ms Meloni, who could become Italy’s first female prime minister and the most right-wing since World War II.
Rome-born Meloni, whose party has its roots in post-fascism but now presents itself as a mainstream conservative force, played to a home crowd overwhelmingly dominated by FdI fans.
During her term in office, Ms Meloni would face enormous challenges, including the threat of recession, inflation and rising energy costs, on top of Italy’s historically high public debt.
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