Italy’s former prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi is being treated for a type of chronic leukaemia, hospital doctors in Milan have confirmed.
According to the BBC, Berlusconi, 86, was rushed to intensive care on Wednesday with breathing problems and doctors said has been suffering from a related lung infection.
The four-time prime minister and media mogul still leads his party and is an elected senator, but he has had repeated health problems since he contracted Covid-19 in 2020.
“We want to be optimistic,” said Antonio Tajani, Italy’s foreign minister and one of the most senior figures in Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party.
Berlusconi has combined politics with a business career at the helm of a media empire. He last served as prime minister in 2011, although his latter years in power became overshadowed by sex and corruption scandals.
He was elected to Italy’s upper house, the Senate, last September but has repeatedly required hospital treatment. He returned to hospital in Milan on Wednesday only six days after he was discharged following days of check-ups.
His personal doctor, Alberto Zangrillo, said his lung infection was related to a chronic blood condition that he had borne for some time. Earlier reports said he had begun chemotherapy to fight the leukaemia.
“He’s stable. He’s a rock. he’s going to make this time too.” said his younger brother, Paolo Berlusconi earlier.
His return to hospital has caused concern in Italy and politicians from across the spectrum have wished him well. Ms Meloni has wished him a speedy recovery, tweeting the words “Forza Silvio” – “Come on Silvio!”, echoing the name of his political party.
Forza Italia officials said their leader had spoken on Thursday morning to party figures including Tajani and Maurizio Gasparri, vice president of the Senate.
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