Milan challenges Berlusconi airport renaming in court
- Milan's city council has filed an appeal against the proposal to rename the main airport after Silvio Berlusconi.
- The initiative, supported by transport minister Matteo Salvini, has sparked public protests and petitions against it.
- The council's actions reflect a strong opposition to what they consider a divisive move by the current government.
Milan's city council has taken legal action against a proposal to rename its main airport after the late Silvio Berlusconi, a former prime minister with a controversial legacy. The initiative, pushed by Matteo Salvini, Italy's transport minister, gained momentum following Berlusconi's death in June 2022. Typically, there is a 10-year waiting period before naming public places after deceased individuals, a rule that this proposal seeks to bypass. Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala, criticized the lack of consultation with local authorities and the airport management company, SEA, claiming that the decision was influenced by right-wing political pressure. The council's resolution reflects a broader public sentiment, as thousands have signed petitions against the renaming, and protests have erupted in response to the initiative. The leader of the Democratic Party in Lombardy emphasized the council's commitment to oppose what they view as a divisive act by the current government. Salvini's defense of the proposal highlights ongoing political tensions surrounding Berlusconi's legacy, which continues to evoke strong reactions even after his passing.