Renaming Controversy: Milan's Airport Named After Silvio Berlusconi

The family of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was not consulted on the decision to rename Milan's main airport after him, according to his eldest son Pier Silvio. The decision, approved by Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, ignited controversy, including criticism from Milan's Mayor Beppe Sala and a petition to reverse it.

The family of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was not consulted on the decision to rename Milan's main airport after him, his eldest son has revealed.

Milan's Malpensa Airport, Italy's second-busiest, was named in honour of Berlusconi earlier this month, sanctioned by Transport Minister Matteo Salvini of the far-right League party. Berlusconi's son, Pier Silvio, expressed the family's happiness over the honour but noted they were uninvolved in the process.

'To be blunt, the method wasn't perfect, both in terms of timing and execution. It was obvious it would spark controversy,' Pier Silvio told reporters. Milan's Mayor Beppe Sala led criticism against the move, and opponents initiated a petition to overturn the decision.

The usual 10-year moratorium after a person's death before naming landmarks was bypassed in this case. Italy's major airports often are named after historical figures, such as Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport and Venice's Marco Polo Airport. The Berlusconi family, main financial backers of the Forza Italia party, remain influential in politics, though Pier Silvio denied any political ambitions.

(With inputs from agencies.)