"I am pleased to be able to announce the good news that the current president of the European Parliament has made up his mind and indicated that he is willing to lead a future centre-right government," Berlusconi said on Canale 5, one of his TV networks.



"He is someone who knows all of Europe," said Berlusconi, who leads up the Forza Italia (Go Italy) party and a rightwing coalition with the far-right League and Brothers of Italy.

The choice could put Berlusconi on a collision course with his europhobic allies, particularly with League leader Matteo Salvini who has prime ministerial ambitions of his own.



Berlusconi, an 81-year-old three-time prime minister who is himself legally barred from holding elected office because of a fraud conviction, had previously hinted that Tajani would be his favoured choice for the post.

Tajani has been a close ally of Berlusconi ever since the flamboyant businessman first entered politics in the early 1990s. Tajani helped Berlusconi found Forza Italia and became his spokesman after his election in 1994.



The 64-year-old confirmed his decision on Twitter. "I thank Berlusconi for his gesture of respect in my regard. I have indicated him this evening my readiness to serve Italy," he said.

Ringrazio Il Presidente Berlusconi per il suo atto di stima nei miei confronti.Ho dato a lui,stasera,la mia disponibilità a servire l'Italia.Ora ogni ulteriore decisione spetta ai nostri concittadini ed al Presidente della Repubblica — Antonio Tajani (@Antonio_Tajani) March 1, 2018

Tajani, an affable and canny networker with a fondness for luxury watches, took over the European Parliament presidency last year after more than 20 years in EU politics.



A former journalist with Italy's Rai television and Il Giornale newspaper, he speaks French, English and Spanish. He has been in the European Parliament since 1994. He also served as EU transport commissioner in 2008-10 and then as industry commissioner in 2010-14.



Berlusconi's coalition is expected to win the most votes in Sunday's election, according to the last opinion polls before the vote, but may fall short of getting a majority.



That would open a period of negotiation between different parties in which President Sergio Mattarella, whose role is usually largely ceremonial.



As he announced his candidacy on Thursday, Tajani said: "Everything that happens next is in the hands of our fellow citizens and the president."

READ ALSO:</s>Italian billionaire media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi on Thursday announced that European Parliament President Antonio Tajani would be his candidate for prime minister if his centre-right grouping wins Sunday's election.

"I am pleased to be able to announce the good news that the current president of the European Parliament has made up his mind and indicated that he is willing to lead a future centre-right government," Berlusconi said on Canale 5, one of his TV networks.

 

 "He is someone who knows all of Europe," said Berlusconi, who leads up the Forza Italia (Go Italy) party and a rightwing coalition with the far-right League and Brothers of Italy.
• Eight things that explain the enduring popularity of Berlusconi

The choice could put Berlusconi on a collision course with his europhobic allies, particularly with League leader Matteo Salvini who has prime ministerial ambitions of his own.

 

 Berlusconi, an 81-year-old three-time prime minister who is himself legally barred from holding elected office because of a fraud conviction, had previously hinted that Tajani would be his favoured choice for the post.

Tajani has been a close ally of Berlusconi ever since the flamboyant businessman first entered politics in the early 1990s. Tajani helped Berlusconi found Forza Italia and became his spokesman after his election in 1994.

 

 The 64-year-old confirmed his decision on Twitter. "I thank Berlusconi for his gesture of respect in my regard. I have indicated him this evening my readiness to serve Italy," he said.

Tajani, an affable and canny networker with a fondness for luxury watches, took over the European Parliament presidency last year after more than 20 years in EU politics.

 

 A former journalist with Italy's Rai television and Il Giornale newspaper, he speaks French, English and Spanish. He has been in the European Parliament since 1994. He also served as EU transport commissioner in 2008-10 and then as industry commissioner in 2010-14.

 

 Berlusconi's coalition is expected to win the most votes in Sunday's election, according to the last opinion polls before the vote, but may fall short of getting a majority.

 

 That would open a period of negotiation between different parties in which President Sergio Mattarella, whose role is usually largely ceremonial.

 

 As he announced his candidacy on Thursday, Tajani said: "Everything that happens next is in the hands of our fellow citizens and the president."</s>European Parliament President Antonio Tajani said on Thursday he would stand as candidate for prime minister for former premier Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia, or “Go Italy!” party, in the March 4 vote. Berlusconi, 81, has served as Italy’s prime minister four times, but is barred from holding public office until 2019 because of a 2013 tax fraud conviction. Berlusconi had announced on Tuesday that Tajani, a Forza Italia co-founder in 1994, was his preferred premier candidate in the parliamentary election, but said Tajani had not yet accepted the offer.

On Thursday, Tajani responded on Twitter, thanking Berlusconi for “his gesture of great respect toward me. I told him that I was willing to serve Italy.” Berlusconi welcomed Tajani’s announcement shortly after an appearance on a talk show on one of the media magnate’s own TV channels. “I know it’s a shame to take Antonio Tajani away from Europe, but it’s in the best interest of Italy,” Berlusconi said. Tajani, 64, has been one of Berlusconi’s most loyal lieutenants, staying by his side when the veteran leader, engulfed by sex scandals, was forced to resign as prime minister in 2011 at the height of a sovereign debt crisis.

Friday is the last day of campaigning allowed before the Sunday vote. Berlusconi’s centre-right alliance was seen winning the most seats before a poll blackout came into force on Feb. 16, but still falling short of a governing majority. Berlusconi’s coalition partners include the anti-migrant League and nationalist Brothers of Italy. They have agreed that if the bloc wins an absolute majority on Sunday, the party which takes the most votes can pick the next premier. Polls had showed Forza Italia maintaining a steady lead over the League. Ultimately, it is President Sergio Mattarella who makes the choice.

Tajani was elected to the European Parliament in 1994 and has spent much of his political career in Brussels, becoming president of the EU assembly in January, 2017 when Martin Schulz left the job to return to national German politics. His pro-European credentials means he will not be welcomed with open arms by either of his coalition partners, which are both euroskeptical.

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Get assembly election result LIVE updates from each constituency in Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya</s>European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, the man picked by Silvio Berlusconi as his choice to be Italy's next prime minister, is an affable networker and long-time ally of the billionaire media tycoon.

"He is someone who knows all of Europe," Berlusconi said as he announced his one-time protege as his favoured nominee if the rightwing coalition he heads wins a majority in Sunday's general election.

Tajani, who helped Berlusconi enter politics in the early 1990s and then served as his spokesman, is seen as someone whose loyalty Berlusconi can count on.

Sharp-suited and with a fondness for luxury watches, the 64-year-old former journalist helped Berlusconi found the Forza Italia (Go Italy) party which first brought the flamboyant billionaire to power in 1994.

Since then Tajani has quietly grafted a stellar career in European politics spanning over two decades.
• Eight things that explain the enduring popularity of Berlusconi

Undeniably likeable, Tajani has a reputation for knowing everyone, not only in the European parliament where he has been since 1994 but also in the European Commission, the executive of the 28-nation EU.

He served as EU transport commissioner in 2008-10 and then as industry commissioner in 2010-14.

"He has done favours for an enormous number of people and many elected members owe him," an official from Tajani's European People's Party has told AFP.

He was elected European parliament president in 2017. A good communicator in several foreign languages, his allies credit him with taking a moderated approach to the role, staying out of heated debates and instead focusing on building consensus in the parliament.
• Matteo Renzi: The former PM known as 'the scrapper' who quickly fell from grace

He has "re-established a good working environment in the parliament," French MEP Elizabeth Morin-Chartier told Politico.

But his critics have questioned his effectiveness and dedication to the role, suggesting he has been more interested in Italian politics than advancing European causes.

"Tajani has been underperforming and is very uninspired," German MEP Jens Geier was quoted by Politico as saying.

Through out his career, the politician who once described himself as a "consensus man" has never forgotten his close friendship with Berlusconi.

He has spread the media tycoon's influence in the centre-right European People's Party, the biggest bloc in the European Union's only elected body.

Tajani's dedication to his former boss, which he has never hidden, has led some to question whether he would serve as a puppet to Berlusconi's insatiable desire to run the country.

The billionaire former prime minister is currently barred until next year from holding elected office himself under Italian law owing to a tax fraud conviction. He has positioned himself as a kingmaker through his leadership of a four-party grouping that is expected to garner the most votes in Sunday's election.

Leaders of the EPP asked Berlusconi at a meeting last month to let Tajani stay in Brussels saying that they "needed him", a source told AFP.

Tajani hesitated for a long time before indicating Thursday his readiness to take up the job, giving in to Berlusconi's insistence, according to Italian media.

"With Tajani, we will have a new legitimacy in Europe, we will once again be able to make heard and defend the interests of the Italians," Berlusconi said.</s>European Parliament President Antonio Tajani is poised to quit the bloc and become Italy’s next prime minister after being selected as the candidate for Silvio Berlusconi’s party ahead of the country’s elections.

Mr Tajani announced yesterday he would stand as Forza Italia’s prime ministerial candidate in the March 4 vote – putting him in pole position for the post.

Barred from holding office himself, 81-year-old Mr Berlusconi announced Mr Tajani was his preferred candidate this week.</s>Barred from holding office himself over a tax conviction, 81-year-old Mr Berlusconi announced Mr Tajani was his preferred candidate for PM in the Italian election 2018 this week. Yesterday, Mr Tajani tweeted his thanks for the ex-Italian leader’s “gesture of respect’ adding: “I told him that I was willing to serve Italy." Silvio Berlusconi welcomed Tajani's announcement shortly after an appearance on a talk show on one of the media magnate's own TV channels. He said: "I know it's a shame to take Antonio Tajani away from Europe, but it's in the best interest of Italy.”

Antonio Tajani was born in Rome in August 1953. He earned a law degree at the Sapienza University of Rome and served as an officer in the Italian Air Force, later becoming a radar controller at the radar base of San Giovanni Teatino. A former journalist with Italy's Rai television and Il Giornale newspaper, he speaks French, English and Spanish besides Italian. Mr Tajani was elected to the European Parliament in 1994 and has spent much of his political career in Brussels.

He also served as EU transport commissioner in 2008-10 and then as industry commissioner in 2010-14 He became president of the EU assembly in January 2017 when Martin Schulz left the job to return to national German politics. His pro-European credentials he will not be welcomed with open arms by either of his coalition partners, which are both eurosceptic. But Mr Tajani, 64, has been one of Mr Berlusconi's most loyal lieutenants.

He stood by his side when the veteran leader, engulfed by sex scandals, was forced to resign as prime minister in 2011 at the height of a sovereign debt crisis. Berlusconi's coalition is expected to win the most votes in Sunday's election, according to the last opinion polls before the vote, but may fall short of getting a majority. That would open a period of negotiation between different parties in which President Sergio Mattarella, whose role is usually largely ceremonial. As he announced his candidacy on Thursday, Tajani said: "Everything that happens next is in the hands of our fellow citizens and the president."</s>Mr Tajani announced yesterday he would stand as Forza Italia’s prime ministerial candidate in the March 4 vote - putting him in pole position for the post. Barred from holding office himself, 81-year-old Mr Berlusconi announced Mr Tajani was his preferred candidate this week. And yesterday, Mr Tajani tweeted his thanks for the ex-Italian leader’s “gesture of respect’. He wrote: “I told him that I was willing to serve Italy."

Mr Berlusconi welcomed Tajani's announcement shortly after an appearance on a talk show on one of the media magnate's own TV channels. He said: "I know it's a shame to take Antonio Tajani away from Europe, but it's in the best interest of Italy," Berlusconi said. Mr Tajani, 64, has been one of Mr Berlusconi's most loyal lieutenants. He stood by his side when the veteran leader, engulfed by sex scandals, was forced to resign as prime minister in 2011 at the height of a sovereign debt crisis.

Friday is the last day of campaigning allowed before the Sunday vote. Mr Berlusconi's centre-right alliance was predicted to win the most seats before a poll blackout came into force on February 16, but still fall short of a governing majority. His coalition partners include the anti-migrant League and nationalist Brothers of Italy. They have agreed that if the bloc wins an absolute majority on Sunday, the party which takes the most votes can pick the next premier.

Polls had showed Forza Italia maintaining a steady lead over the League. But, ultimately, it is President Sergio Mattarella who makes the choice. Mr Tajani was elected to the European Parliament in 1994 and has spent much of his political career in Brussels. He became president of the EU assembly in January, 2017 when Martin Schulz left the job to return to national German politics. His pro-European credentials means he will not be welcomed with open arms by either of his coalition partners, which are both eurosceptic</s>Rome, March 2 - European Parliament President Antonio Tajani on Friday went to Forza Italia (FI) leader Silvio Berlusconi's Rome residence at Palazzo Grazioli to have lunch with the ex-premier, sources said. Tajani left after about five hours in the palazzo, without making any statements. The encounter comes after Berlusconi confirmed on Thursday that Tajani is FI's candidate to be premier if the centre right wins Sunday's general election. Tajani said later that if his homeland needed him he would be ready to be FI's premier candidate for Sunday's general election. "I've alway done everything for the love of my homeland, I'm Italian and proud of it. If my homeland were to need me I am available," said Tajani. He stressed "then the decision is up to the citizens and the head of State". Tajani added: "If it isn't so, I will continue to to be president of the European Parliament." Three-time premier Berlusconi, 81, is currently ineligible to stand for public office due to a ban he is appealing against linked to a tax-fraud conviction. Berlusconi said Thursday that Tajani will be premier if the centre right wins and FI is the biggest party in the coalition. League leader and premier Matteo Salvini, Berlusconi's coalition ally, has said he is confident his right-wing, anti-migrant, Euroskeptic party will outdo FI on Sunday. If that is so, Salvini will be the centre-right premier candidate. The two leaders have agreed that the party that comes first "will express the premier candidate".</s>Rome, March 2 - European Parliament President Antonio Tajani on Friday went to Forza Italia (FI) leader Silvio Berlusconi's Rome residence at Palazzo Grazioli to have lunch with the ex-premier, sources said. Tajani left after about five hours in the palazzo, without making any statements. The encounter comes after Berlusconi confirmed on Thursday that Tajani is FI's candidate to be premier if the centre right wins Sunday's general election. Three-time premier Berlusconi, 81, is currently ineligible to stand for public office due to a ban he is appealing against linked to a tax-fraud conviction. Berlusconi said Thursday that Tajani will be premier if the centre right wins and FI is the biggest party in the coalition. League leader and premier Matteo Salvini, Berlusconi's coalition ally, has said he is confident his right-wing, anti-migrant, Euroskeptic party will outdo FI on Sunday. If that is so, Salvini will be the centre-right premier candidate. The two leaders have agreed that the party that comes first "will express the premier candidate".</s>Rome, March 2 - European Parliament President Antonio Tajani said Friday that if his homeland needed him he would be ready to be Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right Forza Italia (FI) premier candidate for Sunday's general election. "I've alway done everything for the love of my homeland, I'm Italian and proud of it. If my homeland were to need me I am available," said Tajani. He stressed "then the decision is up to the citizens and the head of State". Tajani added: "If it isn't so, I will continue to to be president of the European Parliament."
Antonio Tajani, the current President of the European Parliament, accepts the offer of Silvio Berlusconi to stand as a candidate for Prime Minister of Italy for Forza Italia.