Republic of Italy

The Republic of Italy is a country located in Southern and Western Europe. It is located in the middle of the Meditteranean Sea and consists of a peninsula delimited by the Alps and surrounded by several islands; its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical region. The Republic of Italy shares land borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia and the enclaved microstates of Vatican City and San Marino.

## Population & Religion

Italy has a population of 56,94 million.

**Religion:** The Italian Population is 79,2% catholic christians and 3.5% Eastern Orthodox.

## Italian Armed Forces

The Italian Armed Forces consists of several naval and mechanized brigades. It also incorporates a Gendarmerie called "Arma dei Carabinieri".

## MWS History

### The Rise of Silvio Berlusconi

            In the late 1990s, Italy was facing a crisis of confidence in its government and institutions. The country had been plagued by corruption scandals, political instability, and economic stagnation. The disillusionment of the Italian people with their political leaders was at an all-time high, and the stage was set for a charismatic outsider to seize the opportunity to lead the nation.

That outsider was Silvio Berlusconi, a billionaire media mogul who had built his fortune through a vast media empire that included television stations, publishing houses, and newspapers. Berlusconi entered politics in the early 1990s, founding his own political party, Forza Italia, which promised to bring a new era of prosperity and stability to Italy.

Berlusconi's rise to power was swift and dramatic. In 1994, he won the general election and became Prime Minister for the first time. However, his tenure was short-lived, as his government collapsed after just seven months due to a series of corruption scandals.

### Berlusconi's Second Term as Prime Minister

Undeterred, Berlusconi continued to campaign and rally support among the Italian people. In 2000, he won another general election, this time with a much larger mandate. As Prime Minister, Berlusconi set about implementing his vision for Italy, which included liberalizing the economy, reducing the size of the state, and promoting a pro-business agenda.

### Anti-Immigration Movements on the Rise

At the same time, anti-immigration movements were on the rise in Italy, fueled by a sense of economic insecurity and cultural anxiety. Berlusconi tapped into this sentiment, promising to crack down on illegal immigration and secure Italy's borders.

### Pro-Europe, Pro-NATO Sentiment Growing

However, Berlusconi was also a staunch supporter of Europe and NATO, and he worked to strengthen Italy's ties with these institutions. He saw Italy's future as being tied to the European project, and he believed that a strong Italy was essential for a strong Europe.

### Controversies and Legacy

Despite his successes, Berlusconi's tenure as Prime Minister was not without controversy. He was often criticized for his close ties to the media and for his personal conduct, which was sometimes seen as unbecoming of a head of state.

Nevertheless, Berlusconi's impact on Italy was significant, and his legacy can still be felt today. He remains a polarizing figure in Italian politics, but his ability to connect with the people and his vision for Italy as a modern, prosperous, and influential nation has left an indelible mark on the country.