Italy’s Foreign Press Association – branded ‘communists’ by late politician – moves into Palazzo Grazioli in Rome
Silvio Berlusconi during a press conference at Palazzo Grazioli in 2013. The late politician held his important meetings there – as well as his ‘bunga bunga’ sex parties.Silvio Berlusconi during a press conference at Palazzo Grazioli in 2013. The late politician held his important meetings there – as well as his ‘bunga bunga’ sex parties.he first and only time Silvio Berlusconi held a news conference at the Italian Foreign Press Association in Rome was in November 1993.
“He presented as a businessman, knowing full well he was going to enter politics and this was a way of getting exposure in the world’s press,” said Chris Warde-Jones, a photographer who was at the press conference. “But he resented being questioned.”The Foreign Press Association in Rome, which has more than 300 members, moves into Palazzo Grazioli on 25 March after an inauguration by the Italian president, Sergio Mattarella.
Some of the remaining aspects of Palazzo Grazioli give insight into the fears he had for his safety – a number of rooms are fitted with bulletproof windows. A fitted wardrobe shields a “secret” door providing Berlusconi with an emergency escape route. There was much anguish over finding a new home until Palazzo Grazioli came along, almost by fluke. “We saw about 15 buildings,” said Gustav Hofer, a correspondent for the TV network Arte and member of the association’s management board. “I joked with the property broker: ‘How about Berlusconi’s ex-home?’ He took it seriously and said ‘let me look into it’.”On first stepping into Palazzo Grazioli, Hofer said it still contained “the spirit of Berlusconi”.