Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was admitted to hospital for scheduled leukemia tests in Milan on Friday, weeks after being discharged following a long stay, ANSA reported.
“President Silvio Berlusconi is currently hospitalised at the San Raffaele Hospital for scheduled tests in relation to the known haematological pathology,” his doctors said in a statement.
It’s the third time this year the 86-year-old Forza Italia leader has been admitted to hospital.
Berlusconi was hospitalized on March 27 for three days for tests related to heart issues. He also was rushed into intensive care on April 5 after suffering from severe breathlessness and stayed in hospital for 45 days. Doctors confirmed he was treated for a type of chronic leukemia during that stay.
While in hospital in April and May, Berlusconi addressed party members at a conference via video link and sent messages to supporters saying he was ready to return to work.
Both Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini visited their coalition ally in hospital in May and claimed that he was in a “good mood” and “recovering rapidly.”
There is no designated successor ready to replace Berlusconi as Forz Italia leader.