Berlusconi wants Italy to be “the best friend America has,” but he also wants to shake up his neighbors. A conservative among socialists, he’s no admirer of the European welfare state. Rather than regulate, he prefers free markets. His first overseas visit will be to the White House, and Bush is rumored to be making an Italian stopover next month. Some see Berlusconi’s victory as a major step against a European superstate and especially the euro. At the very least, he and soulmate Bush will prove to be a thorn in “Europe’s” side.
