Cardinal Camillo Ruini, who served as President of the Italian Episcopal Conference from 1991 to 2007, has confirmed in an interview with Corriere della Sera that he and other high-ranking figures met with then-Head of State Oscar Luigi Scalfaro in 1994 to discuss bringing down the first center-right government led by Silvio Berlusconi. The decision to oppose what appeared to be a maneuver was unanimous, according to Ruini.
The revelation has sparked indignation from Forza Italia, the political party founded by Berlusconi. The president of the senators of Forza Italia, Maurizio Gasparri, condemned those who conspired against the legitimate government chosen by the Italians. He stated that historical recollections bring forth a more complete picture of the years-long attacks on the Berlusconi-led governments.
Several political figures from Forza Italia, including vice-president Giorgio Mulè and deputy Deborah Bergamini, have reflected on the significance of Ruini’s testimony. They emphasized that this is crucial in shedding light on past machinations and revealing political accountability. Stefania Craxi, a senator of Forza Italia, and other political figures have embraced Ruini’s interview as a document of extraordinary historical significance. This testimony not only evaluates the negative impact of past political movements but also underscores the existence of subsequent schemes aimed at dismantling Berlusconi’s initiatives.