Ruini reveals Palace conspiracy: Scalfaro asked me to bring down Berlusconi

After the summer of 1994, a lunch at the Quirinale involved the then Head of State, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, inviting Cardinal Camillo Ruini to assist in bringing down the first centre-right government led by Silvio Berlusconi. This detail was confirmed by Cardinal Ruini in an interview with the Corriere della Sera. The lunch also included Cardinal Angelo Sodano and Monsignor Jean-Louis Tauran, where they collectively opposed what they saw as a maneuver to undermine the government. This opposition to Scalfaro’s intentions was a significant moment in Italian politics, especially given that Scalfaro was considered a friend by Ruini.

Maurizio Gasparri, the president of the senators of Forza Italia, reacted strongly to Ruini’s revelations, highlighting the existence of a conspiracy against Berlusconi’s government. Gasparri referred to Berlusconi’s own claims of being a victim of four coups d’état, expressing his belief that Ruini’s testimony confirmed these suspicions. Other politicians from Forza Italia also weighed in, emphasizing the historical significance of Ruini’s interview and the importance of revealing the truth behind past political maneuvers.

Stefania Craxi, a senator of Forza Italia, saw Ruini’s interview as a critical historical document that shed light on the post-Tangentopoli era and the efforts to undercut Berlusconi’s government. This testimony was seen as corroborating Berlusconi’s claims and revealing the lengths to which political opponents went to destabilize his leadership. Overall, Ruini’s interview was considered an essential piece of the puzzle in understanding the political landscape of that time.

The aftermath of the lunch at Quirinale and Scalfaro’s intentions to undermine the government led by Berlusconi sparked a new level of historical and political scrutiny. The reactions from various politicians and commentators highlighted the need to reassess Italy’s recent history and address the darker aspects of past political power struggles. As more information continues to surface, the historical record may slowly reveal the underlying motivations and consequences of these intricate events.