Alfredo Biondi

"In any case, I did not propose the decree [the so-called Biondi Decree]; it was Berlusconi."

"(About the debate between a hard line and negotiation during the Moro case) There is no need to divide ourselves into hawks and doves; there is no need to misrepresent the spirit of renunciation and submission as warm humanitarianism, or, as cold statism, the basic requirement of not compromising on inalienable rights and duties, such as the duty to deliver justice and ensure the equality of citizens before the law."

"The liberals are in the government, but Forza Italia is controlled by the Christian Democrats, the Socialists, the Communists, and former Fininvest employees."

"(About the description of Silvio Berlusconi as a liberal) In economic terms. Otherwise, he's a bit of a Christian Democrat and a bit of a Craxi supporter."

"(About Silvio Berlusconi) Now he has to deal with what he calls the “theater of politics,” which requires dialogue, while he prefers monologues."

"Dini is a high-ranking official at the Bank of Italy with the strengths and limitations of someone who lends money to those who already have it."

"Pomicino is one of those local figures who thrive in their own little world but don’t know where to go outside of it."

"Scalfaro remains right-wing and fundamentalist even though he joins the protests. Just like what happened to Montanelli or Federico Orlando. They’re characterized by moralistic rigor. Bigotry. The secular kind is worse than the religious kind."

"Daniele Capezzone. He’s a cleric, a young man of rare intelligence who strikes me the same way as those learned priests who become cardinals."

"Berlusconi should choose people capable of saying no to him. And besides, he works too much. He invites me to long dinners at his house where we talk only about politics. But he should go to a trattoria, to chat, to watch people."

"Bondi is an offshoot of Berlusconi. In fact, Bondi is Berlusconi. Bondi is the boss at the disposal of the periphery. He listens to everyone."

"As long as the presiding judge is a colleague of the prosecutor—whom she might even marry—then I wonder if they hold their chambers in bed."

"Berlusconi has a very strong ego. But the party has faded without him."

"Forza Italia lacks internal debate. Because of a vision I call “leadercratic.”"

"Fede is grateful to Berlusconi because he never abandoned him. Berlusconi is good. He never abandons anyone."

"I’ve figured out the mystery of why Scajola fell in love with Berlusconi. His dream was to become important in Liguria. He succeeded by placing his people everywhere."

"Fazio is the mellifluous leftist. His eyes look like two eggs in a frying pan."

"Gruber is a smug little saint."

"(About Valerio Zanone) The least liberal of them all. A liberal is humble. He is limited by his arrogance."

"(About Bruno Vespa) He is too accommodating. He doesn’t put his guests on the spot. He hosts well but with a loose rein. Everyone leaves satisfied and even reimbursed."

"He is a cheerful man, even a bit of a joker, prone to sudden outbursts of anger and just as quick to forget them. He served as a minister in both the First and Second Republics, as Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies, and as secretary of the PLI. When I was editor-in-chief of *Cuore*, he sued me, though neither of us remembers why. He is dogged by an undeserved reputation as a heavy drinker and a well-deserved one as a witticism-spinner."

"(About the Biondi decree) I had protested, saying that in matters of justice, one cannot legislate by decree. But Biondi, who partly shared my position, explained to me that Berlusconi, alarmed by the possibility of his brother Paolo’s arrest, had exerted enormous pressure to have such a measure passed. (2 February 1995)"