Mfe CEO Pier Silvio Berlusconi offered a complete overview of the company’s strategy and his views on the Italian political landscape in a year-end press conference today. Berlusconi praised Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s leadership and addressed issues ranging from the future of Forza Italia to potential international expansion, while also commenting on the Italian media landscape. The meeting in December provided insight into Mfe’s direction as it navigates a changing global market and considers future acquisitions.
Mfe CEO Pier Silvio Berlusconi addressed the media in a year-end press conference, discussing the Italian government, Forza Italia, the publishing industry – with praise for RCS and Urbano Cairo – and international expansion plans. He indicated that entering the French market is currently unlikely.
“Giorgia Meloni is highly regarded internationally, she is doing an excellent job as prime minister, and the government is performing well, as evidenced by all positive economic indicators, starting with GDP. Looking around, I think we can all agree: Giorgia Meloni is the best prime minister in Europe.”
During the year-end press conference, Pier Silvio Berlusconi offered this praise for the prime minister, a sentiment he has expressed publicly before. The Mfe CEO also discussed Forza Italia, stating, “Perhaps the most important legacy of my father is Forza Italia. My sister Marina and I are both passionate people, but very committed to our work. I feel genuine gratitude for Tajani, who has kept the party afloat since my father’s passing. Furthermore, I believe that new faces, new ideas, and a renewed program are necessary to look to the future with confidence.” A response quickly followed from Forza Italia’s leader in New Delhi: “All advice is valuable, I listen and am fully in agreement on the need for renewal and looking ahead. I am absolutely in favor of the constant renewal of Forza Italia. That’s what we’re doing, we’re also bringing forward young people, like the national secretary of the youth wing, and the new representatives elected in the latest regional elections – we’ve elected 24 and 25-year-olds. I also think of our deputy secretaries who are working, the congresses we’ve held and will hold, which is a way to broaden our base.”
The meeting also provided an opportunity to assess the state of the publishing industry and the likely sale of Repubblica. “The free market reigns supreme, but it’s a shame to see an Italian product fall into foreign hands.” Berlusconi acknowledged the importance of pluralism, independence, and employment in journalism, and in that context praised Corriere della Sera and Gazzetta dello Sport: “Cairo is a pure publisher, now the only one in Italy, and has done an excellent job: Corriere and Gazzetta have a soul consistent with their history.”
Berlusconi also addressed new international acquisitions and the emerging pan-European television network spanning Italy, Germany, Spain, Austria, and Switzerland. Regarding control of the German television group ProSieben, Berlusconi assured that “in Germany, we will do everything possible to maintain the group’s employment levels as they are; there are currently no plans for layoffs.” The company is now looking toward France? “There are established private entities there like Tf1 and M6: entering France would be a dream, but I don’t see any opportunities at the moment.”
