Thousands gathered in Milan for the state funeral of Silvio Berlusconi and chanted the former prime minister’s name as many watched the service on giant screens.
The service on Wednesday was held city’s Gothic Duomo cathedral and a national day of mourning is being held for the tycoon turned politician who died aged 86 on Monday.
His right wing Forza Italia party is part of prime minister Giorgia Melloni’s current coalition running the country.
The politician, who started working life as a cruise ship singer before building up a media empire, was still the official head of his party when he died. He served as prime minister in four administrations and was a major player on the international stage.
Mr Berlusconi, a colourful and controversial character in Italian politics for more than 30 years, had been ill with leukaemia for some time.
Huge ‘maxi-screens’ were set up in the Piazza del Duomo outside the cathdral so supporters could pay their respects with 20,000 cramming in to witness the historic event. Meanwhile 2,000 family, friends and colleagues were inside the cathedral. As the coffin was carried out of the cathedral mourners applauded. Some were waving flags and shouting support for the politician.
Luigi Vecchione, a 48-year-old textile worker from the northern Piedmont region, told AFP: “Berlusconi is my first and last political love. It’s a very sad day for Italy.
“He was a charismatic leader who created jobs and had empathy for everyone. He will be missed,” he said, as he joined the crowds, sporting a large red heart on his black T-shirt.”
Berlusconi, adored and loathed by Italians in equal measure, had been ill for several years. He owned football club AC Milan until 2017.
Parliamentary votes are on hold for a week as mark of respect. However, the period of mourning has been criticised by some Italians as he had been embroiled in a number of court battles uncluding a conviction for tax frausd in 2013 leading to a five year ban on holding public office.
