Ex-premier and Forza Italia leader Silvio Berlusconi was in Brussels on Monday (Jan.22) with one eye on a political comeback in Italy's March general election.

Despite currently banned from holding office, it's his party which might just win and he was there to get the lowdown on Brexit.

"Mr. Barnier assured me of the fact that the Europeans, and the 600,000 Italians who are in England, will enjoy the same rights they have now, even when the UK will be out of the EU and this is very important"

Migration was the other issue given the approach of the March poll. Italy has been at the forefront of the Mediterranean route to Europe and Berlusconi wants help with to boosting controls at the border.

"The number of border guards can be increased, in order to create also hotspots in Italy with guards coming in from other European countries ".

Berlusconi was given a warm welcome as many in Europe see him as the man who can save Italy from populism in March.