Marina Berlusconi's Influence Tests Forza Italia's Leadership Renewal Ahead of Party Congress

The Italy Cabinet Minister for Public Administration, Paolo Zangrillo, has signaled that Marina Berlusconi's increasing involvement in the future of Forza Italia is both natural and necessary, even as the party braces for internal leadership discussions ahead of the 2027 national elections. Speaking amid internal friction within the center-right party, Zangrillo stressed that the upcoming leadership process must avoid becoming divisive and should instead focus on the party's renewal.

Why This Matters

• Leadership transition in Forza Italia, a key coalition partner in Giorgia Meloni's government, affects policy stability and the balance of power in Italy's ruling alliance.

• Marina Berlusconi, though not in elected office, is influencing party renewal efforts behind the scenes, with significant input on strategic direction and personnel decisions.

• The party's national congress, planned before summer 2026, will determine the shape of Forza Italia's leadership structure as it prepares for 2027 elections.

The Berlusconi Influence Returns

Since the death of Silvio Berlusconi in June 2023, Forza Italia has struggled to define itself beyond the personality of its founder. Marina Berlusconi, the eldest daughter and chair of Fininvest and Mondadori, has publicly stated she has no intention of entering politics directly. Yet her consultations with party figures over the past year have been significant and visible.

In March 2024, 14 of the party's 20 senators signed a letter requesting the replacement of Maurizio Gasparri as Senate group leader. Gasparri subsequently resigned, and Stefania Craxi, a figure Marina holds in high regard, was installed in his place. Zangrillo was among the signatories, and party sources indicate Marina's views were influential in facilitating this transition.

Zangrillo has openly expressed the importance of dialogue with Marina Berlusconi, saying he values her perspective on the party's direction. In early 2024, he mentioned his openness to taking on greater party responsibilities, though he emphasized that immediate leadership changes were not necessary. His comments reflect the delicate balance within Forza Italia: respecting Antonio Tajani's formal authority as party secretary while acknowledging the Berlusconi family's significant influence.

What This Means for Italy's Coalition Government

Forza Italia is a critical partner in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition, providing a pro-European voice that contrasts with the more nationalist positions of Meloni's Brothers of Italy and Matteo Salvini's League. Internal discussions within Forza Italia could influence the government's policy direction, though analysts say the party's current internal dynamics are unlikely to trigger an immediate crisis.

Antonio Tajani, who currently serves as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, was elected party secretary in July 2023 and confirmed again in February 2024. His leadership style—pragmatic, centrist, and anchored in European People's Party principles—has helped Forza Italia maintain relevance in a post-Silvio era. He is expected to lead the party into the 2027 elections, though the ongoing discussions about party renewal indicate the leadership approach is evolving.

A December 2025 poll showed that while Tajani maintains support among Forza Italia voters, Marina's brother Pier Silvio Berlusconi was the preferred national leader among the broader Italian public, followed by Marina herself. This reflects the party's ongoing identity challenge: defining itself as a modern, institutionalized center-right force while remaining connected to its Berlusconi family heritage.

The Congress: Renewal and Continuity

Zangrillo's emphasis that the upcoming congress should focus on renewal and forward momentum reflects the party's desire to enter the electoral cycle with a clear vision. Regional and national congresses are planned before summer 2026, and the party views this as an opportunity to reset its direction and messaging.

Marina Berlusconi has been consulting with key party figures, including Zangrillo, and is expected to meet with Tajani to discuss the party's strategic path. Her involvement is aimed at strengthening Forza Italia's position within the coalition while maintaining internal coherence. Party leadership views this consultative process as healthy organizational preparation rather than internal conflict.

The party's last major national congress took place in February 2024 in Rome, where Tajani was confirmed as secretary with broad support. The 2026 congress is expected to build on this foundation, allowing the party to set priorities for its electoral campaign and governance role in the coalition.

A Party in Search of Identity

Forza Italia's fundamental challenge is sustaining itself as a cohesive political force beyond its founder's era. Silvio Berlusconi was not just a leader; he was the party's brand, strategist, and defining public figure for nearly three decades. His passing created a leadership vacuum that the party continues to address.

Marina Berlusconi's business acumen and family position give her considerable influence over the party's direction. However, she has consistently prioritized the Berlusconi Group's corporate interests, which span media, publishing, and banking. Her role is that of a strategic advisor rather than a day-to-day politician. She can shape policy direction, influence personnel decisions, and signal organizational priorities, but maintains her focus on business rather than electoral politics.

Tajani brings institutional experience and European credibility. He served as President of the European Parliament from 2017 to 2019 and maintains strong connections to Brussels. His leadership has helped Forza Italia establish a pro-European, market-oriented identity that distinguishes it from its coalition partners. As the party moves through its renewal process, this centrist positioning will be tested and potentially refined.

Impact for People Living in Italy

For residents and businesses, Forza Italia's internal organization has practical consequences. Coalition stability directly affects the pace and substance of legislative action on issues from tax policy to healthcare reform. The party's role as the coalition's pro-market voice influences decisions that affect employment, business regulation, and investment policy.

Business sentiment is particularly sensitive to perceptions of coalition stability. Forza Italia has traditionally advocated for private enterprise-friendly policies and market-oriented reforms. Any significant internal disruption could affect investor confidence, particularly in sectors where the Berlusconi family maintains interests.

For those familiar with Italian politics, Forza Italia's pro-European stance provides an important counterbalance to more Eurosceptic positions within the coalition. The party's strong ties to European institutions help shape Italy's approach to EU coordination and international policy.

Looking Ahead

The coming months will clarify Forza Italia's organizational direction. Scheduled meetings between key party figures, including Marina Berlusconi and Tajani, are expected to establish the framework for the party congress. The consensus among party leadership is that Forza Italia should enter this period as a unified force prepared for the 2027 electoral cycle.

Zangrillo's public positioning suggests he aims to be a bridge figure between different party interests—respectful of the Berlusconi family's perspectives while committed to pragmatic governance within the existing coalition structure. Whether Forza Italia emerges from its congress strengthened and cohesive will depend on the party's ability to balance institutional development with its historical identity and the practical demands of coalition governance.