Milan's international Malpensa airport was renamed to include the name of Silvio Berlusconi, the former Italian prime minister and billionaire, following his death on June 12, 2023. The renaming ceremony took place on Friday in the arrivals area of Terminal 1, with the presence of members of the far-right government, including Transport Minister Matteo Salvini and Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani, who is the leader of the Forza Italia party founded by Berlusconi. The new official name of the airport is Milan Malpensa International Airport Silvio Berlusconi. The decision was made without consulting local officials. Silvio Berlusconi's brother, Paolo, stated that renaming the airport was "what better way to honor Silvio's memory than to give his name to the gateway to Europe and the world." His daughter, Marina, told the Italian news agency ANSA that her father had spent his life "looking ahead and far ahead," and she expressed hope that his name would welcome visitors and accompany those departing for new destinations. Giuseppe Sala, the center-left mayor of Milan, was absent from the ceremony. He had previously taken legal action to block the name change, arguing that the transport minister had accelerated the process without consulting local officials or other concerned entities. The Italian opposition also criticized the decision, stating that it violated a law stipulating that public places cannot bear the name of people who have been deceased for less than 10 years. The controversy highlights the political tensions in Italy over the legacy of influential figures. While Berlusconi's supporters view the renaming as a tribute to his impact on the nation, critics argue that the action was rushed and politically motivated. The new name has sparked debate about the appropriateness of commemorating public figures in this way, especially within the first decade of their passing.