The political tradition of ancient thought, filtered in Italy by Machiavelli, says one thing clearly: every prince needs allies, and the bigger the responsibility, the more allies he needs.

I am absolutely sure to be the most democratic man to ever become Prime Minister in Italy.

These monstrous criminals have demonstrated a vile and brutal affront against humanity.

You have to make a joke every 10–15 minutes. It’s a way of keeping up morale.

I tell you the truth: if I lived in a country where there was no day appointed for elections, I would become a revolutionary, if not a terrorist. And that is because I love liberty too much; without liberty a man is not a man. He has no dignity.

In Italy, I am almost seen as German for my workaholism. Also I am from Milan, the city where people work the hardest. Work, work, work - I am almost German.

I unfortunately have never in my life been to a wild party.