Silvio Berlusconi channels Donald Trump as he brands immigration a ‘social bomb ready to explode in Italy’, slams the EU and vows to deport 600,000 migrants if he’s re-elected
SILVIO Berlusconi has channelled Donald Trump as he branded immigration a “social bomb ready to explode in Italy”.
The country’s former PM also attacked the EU, and vowed to deport 600,000 migrants if his ring-wing alliance is elected, in an echo of the US president’s populist rhetoric.
Berlusconi made the comments during an interview on Italian TV with TG5 – part of his own media empire.
He said: “Immigration has become an urgent question because after years with a left wing government, there are 600,000 migrants who don't have the right to stay.”
The 81-year-old claimed many of this number – who arrived in the country illegally – are "ready" to commit crimes.
But he promised his centre-right party Forza Italia would send nearly all of them back to their home countries.
And he blasted the EU for failing to help as the country was swamped by new arrivals travelling across the Mediterranean by boat.
He said: “Today, Italy counts for nothing in Brussels and the world. We will make it count again.”
But his opponents – including Democratic Party chief Matteo Renzi and populist 5-Star Movement leader Luigi Di Maio – blame Berlusconi's policies during his three stints in office for the influx of migrants.
The country goes to the polls on March 4 and immigration is one of the dominant themes of the campaign trail.
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Berlusconi's party has teamed up with two far-right parties – the Northern League and the Brothers of Italy – ahead of the upcoming vote.
Mr Bunga Bunga himself is ineligible for office after being convicted of tax fraud.
But with the alliance leading opinion polls on more than 35 per cent, he could still end up holding major influence if the coalition gets into power.
Berlusconi's comments on immigration came just a day after an alleged far-right extremist was arrested for allegedly shooting six Africans in a central Italian town.
Skinhead Luca Traini, 28, was pictured draped into an Italian flag after his arrest in Macerata.
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