Silvio Berlusconi has said that he
wants to set up another new political party, while stressing
that he will not be its leader.
The media magnate famously "took to the field" of
politics in 1994 and led his Forza Italia (FI) party to victory
in elections that year.
In 2009 FI merged with the rightwing National Alliance
party to form a new group, the People of Freedom (PdL).
But in 2013 Berlusconi ditched the PdL and formed another
new group under the Forza Italia name.
The revived FI has been badly hit by internal strife and
dropped to fourth place in most polls.
So the three-time premier is thinking of creating a new,
more slender group, inspired by the United States Republican
Party.
But the 78-year-old, who is serving a six-year ban on
office that kicked in after a definitive tax-fraud conviction in
2013, ruled himself out for the leadership.
"I can't run as a candidate for six years and I know how
old I am," Berlusconi told State broadcaster RAI on Sunday.
"I will be able to give thrust and support a great
(political) crusade but someone else will have to be there (at
the helm)".
He stressed, however, that this new leader of the Italian
centre right has not yet "shown up".
"There are great characters who can aspire to this
position, even people outside FI," he said.
Berlusconi also commented on the break-down of the
so-called Nazareno Pact that he struck last year with Premier
Matteo Renzi for a new election law and overhaul of the
country's political machinery.
The billionaire broke off the pact when Renzi's PD had
President Sergio Mattarella elected head of State in January
without his support.
"The Nazareno Pact broke down when Renzi decided to go it
alone," Berlusconi said.
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