Berlusconi's Dilemma

Silvio Berlusconi's critics used to worry about what he might do once in office: slant media coverage, rewrite laws to favor his own business and legal interests, embarrass Italy with gaffes on the world stage. Many of those fears, though perhaps not the worst of them, were realized in the media mogul's last term in office, from 2001 to 2006. But now that Berlusconi has swept back to his third term as Prime Minister with an impressive victory over former Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni, Italians are more concerned about what he might not do. Italy faces difficult public-policy challenges, from a stagnant economy to organized crime. High-profile emergencies, like mounting trash on the streets of Naples and the uncertain future of national carrier Alitalia, are proof that the nation needs action.

Berlusconi will enjoy a healthy majority in both houses of parliament. The Italian electorate punished the center-left for its failure to respond to the country's needs under Romano Prodi, whose less than two years in office now amount to a brief interregnum bracketed by Berlusconi. But the 71-year-old center-right leader must overcome Italians' deep-seated doubts that any politician can kick the country into gear.

Contrary to his public image, Berlusconi desperately wants to be taken seriously. He reportedly told associates after his victory on April 14 that he will use the next five years to establish his legacy as a "statesman." But a longing for legitimation may hamper him more than it tempers him. Berlusconi, once a maverick outsider, looks increasingly like a typical deal-making Italian politico; more a parody than a model of statesmanship. If he wants to make a lasting impact, Berlusconi would do well to harness his flamboyant, image-driven instincts for the benefit of the country. He has proposed leading weekly government meetings from Naples until the trash emergency is resolved. A billionaire cleaning up garbage? That would be a fresh start for a third Berlusconi term.