Cancer - plagued three time ex - premier Silvio Berlusconi finished second in Italy 's vote . This meant that Berlusconi 's old-fashioned , tax-cutting message , geared towards preserving his own political power , had plenty of space in which to operate . Italians and non - Italians have very different views of Berlusconi , argues journalist Michael Hogan . For all his faults , Emmott says he did better than most at listening to his critics .
Cancer - plagued three time ex - premier Silvio Berlusconi finished second in Italy 's vote . Italians and non - Italians have very different views of Berlusconi , argues journalist Michael Hogan . For all his faults , Emmott says he did better than most at listening to his critics .