Berlusconis Row Over PM's Wandering Eye

Soap opera of feuding first couple grips Italy

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 30, 2009 7:43 AM CDT

(Newser) – Silvio Berlusconi's wife is taking her complaints of philandering and dishonesty to the press—and it's not the first time she's done so, the New York Times reports. The Italian first lady was angry that Berlusconi went to the 18th birthday party of a business associate's daughter, who has been photographed in lingerie. "This surprised me," Veronica Lario wrote, "because he never attended the 18th birthday parties of his children, even if he was invited."

Lario has voiced her frustrations with her husband in the media before; in 2007, she published an open letter bashing him for flirting with women at a party and a showgirl-turned-minister. Though the most recent accusations have received wall-to-wall coverage in Italy, few expect political repercussions. One newspaper editor said Berlusconi's taste for beautiful women "is a huge part of Italian society. People identify with it."

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

An artwork by Filippo Panseca, depicting Silvio Berlusconi with a giant pair of wings and little else, with an equally topless female minister, in Savona, Italy, Tuesday April 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Italo Banchero)

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, left, hands his phone to a delegation member as he walks during a NATO summit event near the Passerelle bridge in Kehl, Germany on Saturday April 4, 2009. Berlusconi... (AP Photo/Micheal Sohn)

Veronica Lario, left, has attacked her husband Silvio Berlusconi in the press for his roving eye. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi, right, and his wife Veronica Lario. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Someone has written that this is just a diversion for an emperor. I agree. What emerges from the newspapers is shamelessly trashy, all in the name of power. - Veronica Lario, wife of Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi, on his choice of beautiful but inexperienced candidates for office

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

George Clooney Named as Berlusconi Witness

Star says he wasn't at Italian PM's 'bunga bunga' party

(NEWSER) - Coming soon to an Italian courtroom: The Berlusconi Bunga Bunga Trial, starring George Clooney, Silvio Berlusconi, a former belly dancer, and dozens of starlets and showgirls. Clooney is among the 214 defense witnesses to be called at the former Italian prime minister's trial on charges that he paid an underage prostitute, the Guardian reports. Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo and several government ministers will also be among the witnesses at the trial, which begins next week. More»

Italy's Monti Forms Politician-Free Government

He's sworn in as PM ... ciao, Berlusconi!

(AP) - It's a big day for Italy: Economist Mario Monti has been officially sworn in as PM—formally ending Silvio Berlusconi's 17-year-long run of political dominance—and he formed a new Italian government that doesn't include a single politician. Instead, he drew from the ranks of bankers, diplomats, and business executives. Explaining why his Cabinet contained no one from Italy's fractious political parties, Monti said that his talks with party leaders led him to the conclusion "that the non-presence of politicians in the government would help it." More»

On Last Day, Berlusconi Packs a Few Precious Items

Decides to keep sword, vase ... and photo of himself with George W. Bush

(NEWSER) - Today is Silvio Berlusconi's last day as the prime minister of Italy, and he did what any of us would do in our final moments on the job: packed up his stuff. But Berlusconi isn't exactly walking out with a cardboard box filled with picture frames and a stapler. AFP picks up a report by La Repubblica on what the billionaire decided to walk away with: a scimitar (a saber with a curved blade) from Kazakhstan and a Ming dynasty vase, two of the hundreds of gifts he was given while in office. More»

Berlusconi's Party Backs Economist as New PM

Mario Monti faces gargantuan task

(NEWSER) - Silvio Berlusconi's conservative party is backing economist Mario Monti to put together a new coalition, leaving the man they call "professor" some outlandish shoes to fill and Italy's towering financial crisis to dig out of. And there's a catch: Monti's got to do it all ASAP, with the call for new elections nipping at his heels. The backing is tenuous, notes the AP , with Berlusconi's Freedom People party also warning Monti against appointing members of the opposition to the Cabinet. Nevertheless, for the time being, "We have given our willingness to Professor Monti," says the party chair. More»

Berlusconi Quits; Hecklers Shout, 'Buffoon!'

Musicians perform chorus of Handel's 'Alleluia'

(AP) - Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi resigned today after parliament's lower chamber passed European-demanded reforms, ending a 17-year political era and setting in motion a transition aimed at bringing the country back from the brink of economic crisis. A chorus of Handel's "Alleluia," performed by a few dozen singers and classical musicians, rang out in front of the president's palace as thousands of Italians poured into downtown Rome to rejoice at the end of Berlusconi's scandal-marred reign . More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Berlusconis Row Over PM's Wandering Eye