Forza Italia Sicily Struggles for Leadership After Berlusconi’s Death

Forza Italia’s regional branch in Sicily is confronting a leadership vacuum after the death of its founder Silvio Berlusconi three years ago. The party, once a stronghold on the island, fell below the electoral threshold in the latest regional elections, winning no seats. Internal disputes have intensified, with members accusing senior figures of being “set aside, little considered and not involved in government activities.”

Efforts to appoint a new regional coordinator have stalled, and factions are vying for influence ahead of the 2027 regional elections. National leader Antonio Tajani’s promised reforms have not materialised, and prominent party figures such as Giorgio Mulè and Marco Falcone have voiced criticism of regional president Renato Schifani’s leadership. The crisis highlights deeper divisions within Forza Italia that could affect its future electoral prospects in Sicily and potentially across Italy.