The traditional left-right split has historic and symbolic value… [but] it does not highlight the real alliance that Italy needs — one that focuses on Europe and reforms.Mario Monti, former Italian Prime Minister • Announcing his intention to run in the upcoming election for his old job, which he resigned from last week, and which has recently become a prize sought by Monti’s politically disgraced predecessor, Silvio Berlusconi. Monti, ushered in in 2011 to impose some unpopular austerity measures during the Italian debt crisis, is expected to lead a coalition of centrists against Berlusconi, the sex-scandalized former right-wing PM and media magnate. source
I return to politics with despair and out of a sense of responsibility. I enter the race to win.The once (and future?) Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi • Revealing what many observers had suspected over recent months — he is, contrary to his initial insistences, eying a run to get his old job back. Berlusconi resigned in November 2011, following a scandal-plagued few years — remember Ruby the Heart Stealer, anyone? In October, he was sentenced for tax evasion by an Italian court, but due to the statute of limitations against the length of the charges (dating back to 2006), Berlusconi may well get off without serving a day of the four-year prison sentence he received. But dodging that, and becoming PM again? He’s banking on next year being “the year of Silvio Berlusconi,” and we’re enrapt as to whether he’s right. source
I feel obliged to stay in the field to reform the justice system so that what happened to me does not happen to other citizens.Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi • Regarding his decision to stay in politics despite the fact he is facing a four-year jail sentence on tax fraud charges related to his media empire. True to form, Berlusconi made the comments on one of his company’s media outlets, Channel Five television. He has wavered repeatedly regarding what he would do politically in recent months, with some speculating he might attempt to run for higher office in the future.
Back for more? Word is that Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian Prime Minister who left office amid heavy scandal might get a second wind, in the wake of a strong, hugely-unpopular austerity program that took hold after he left office eight months ago. His allies are hoping he’ll run for office again, though he hasn’t shown his hand quite yet. (Photo by Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images)
One of the young women who attended Silvio Berlusconi’s “bunga bunga” parties told a court on Friday that she dressed up as a burlesque version of U.S. President Barack Obama to entertain the former Italian prime minister.
In testimony during a trial against the 75-year-old Berlusconi on charges of paying for sex with an underage prostitute, Marysthell Polanco said she had also dressed as prosecutor Ilda Boccassini.
“I dressed up as Boccassini with a toga to make him laugh, and also as Obama,” Polanco told the court.
READ MORE: Berlusconi party girl says she dressed up as Obama
Whoa. Berlusconi was into some weird stuff.
Italy replaces Berlusconi with a technocrat: Mario Monti, an economist, just took power, and did it with a bunch of people who most assuredly aren’t politicians. Why? Well, Monti isn’t concerned about winning an election. He’s there to fix the country. And because he has such a specific role, he can do things people don’t like to solve the problem. Will this put them on the right track? Too soon to tell.
More on Silvio Berlusconi’s exit as Italian Prime Minister: The long-controversial Italian PM exits as the two chambers of Parliament passed a tough austerity plan. The Senate passed it Friday; the lower house passed it today with a resounding 380-26 vote. source
Berlu-exit. Peace out Silvio Berlusconi, we’re sure you were sick of being the Italian prime minister anyway.
The end of an era: Silvio Berlusconi was, if nothing else, a remarkably durable politician. He served as Prime Minister three different times, briefly in the 90s and twice over the last decade, despite both political and sexual scandals (you may recall his broken promise to sell his media assets if elected, his alleged tryst with underage prostitute ‘Ruby The Heart Stealer,’ and his very specific, foul assessment of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, fr example). However, following what Reuters reports as a “humiliating” legislative defeat over proposed reforms to meet the fiscal demands of the euro zone debt crisis, Berlusconi will soon be on the way out. Honestly, we never thought this guy’s political life would end with a parliamentary defeat. It somehow seems not salacious or bizarre enough, given the rest of the man’s career. (Photo by Alessio85) source
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Berlu-goner. Surprising he lasted as long as he did, really. EDIT: Some background over here.
Silvio Berlusconi walking on eggshells after botched economic vote: The vote, which went in his favor, showed however that he no longer has an absolute majority of support in the Italian parliament. It increased calls for his resignation. source
Berlusconi’s back: In a move that probably won’t help German-Italian relations, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was caught on tape referring to German Chancellor Angela Merkel as an “unf@#kable lard-ass.” These are harsh words from the lothario Berlusconi; while he’s admitted to being “a bit mischievous” with his sexual exploits, he’s also insisted that he treats women with the utmost respect. Hopefully this won’t spark an international crisis (Reuters photo). source
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Delayed reaction of the day: Silvio Berlusconi’s plea to the Libyan rebels
Now, you might not know this, but there’s a bit of a civil war going on at the moment in Libya. The rebels are fairly close to victory — so close they can smell it. So, right on cue, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, a former colonial leader of Libya who was once an ally to Gaddafi and a reluctant partner in the NATO campaign in Libya, has urged the rebels “to abstain from any violence.” Now … look. We can see that there is obvious danger of things escalating, and the rebels do need to be careful to approach the situation carefully. But seriously, this is the wrong time for this comment if he’s going to make it. This is, like, a war, man. Things like this happen. But to tell the rebels to drop their weapons now, at a key time in the country’s history where they’re about to win, seems just a little bit tone-deaf to the current situation. source
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