Lombardy wants to rename Milan’s Malpensa Airport after Silvio Berlusconi

The idea was raised in the regional council of Lombardy as a way to honour the legacy of the late politician

The parliament of the Lombardy region in Italy has proposed to the Italian Ministry of Transport to officially rename Milan’s Malpensa Airport after the late Silvio Berlusconi. The motion was presented by the councillors of the small regional party Lombardia Migliore, which commits the government to take action by approaching the ministry in question, which is in charge of evaluating and finally making the ultimate decision.

Lombardy is the region where Milan is located, and as it is well known by now that city is the hometown of the late politician and ex-prime minister who passed away on 12 June after battling leukaemia. Berlusconi’s legacy is inextricably linked with Milan as much of his business career and successes took place there and this is where he launched into national prominence, although he didn’t have any role as a local or regional politician.

Linate Airport was also under consideration

Silvio Berlusconi has already entered the history books as the longest-serving prime minister of post-World War II Italy. However, his terms in power were also marred by a variety of gaffes and scandals, such as the allegation of hiring an underage prostitute for a house party.

In Lombardy, however, Berlusconi is generally well-liked and remained popular until his death. Apparently, the idea of naming the airport after il Cavaliere, as Berlusconi was popularly known, originated with the former president of the region, Roberto Formigoni, who claimed that the modern iteration of the airport and its development has much to do with Berlusconi, as well as with himself, as quoted by MiTomorrow.

The airport, which is currently, Italy’s second busiest, after Rome’s Fiumicino is not Milan’s only airplane hub. There’s also Linate airport, which is used more for domestic flights.

Interestingly, the Ministry of Transport, which is currently headed by Matteo Salvini, stated that it finds the idea interesting, however, it was also initially more inclined towards renaming Linate after Berlusconi. Ultimately, it will be in that Ministry’s power to decide what will happen.