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Berlusconi Irate Over Pesky Media Questions

Italian PM walks out of interview when asked about teen model

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted May 24, 2009 10:39 AM CDT

(Newser) – Silvio Berlusconi owns nearly half of Italy’s television stations—but not La Repubblica, the Italian daily that has incensed the PM with questions about his connection to an 18-year-old model, the Guardian reports. When a reporter asked about Berlusconi's appearance at her birthday party, Berlusconi took offense, saying “shame on you! The Italians are with me!” before stalking out of the room.

An editor for the paper cites “contradictions” that must be probed in the PM’s account of his link to the woman. Though his party is doing well in pre-election polls, some fear Berlusconi is growing authoritarian, with vast control of the media as he shrugs off Parliament. Berlusconi’s “strong reaction to investigative journalism is because he thinks it is immoral to have a free press and an opposition,” says an opposition politician. 

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi gestures as he delivers his speech during the Italian Confindustria industrialists and businessmen association assembly in Rome's Auditorium, Thursday May 21, 2009.
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi gestures as he delivers his speech during the Italian Confindustria industrialists and businessmen association assembly in Rome's Auditorium, Thursday May 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi seen at a joint news conference with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at the Barvikha residence outside Moscow, Saturday, May 16, 2009.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi seen at a joint news conference with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at the Barvikha residence outside Moscow, Saturday, May 16, 2009.   (AP Photo/Maxim Shipenkov, Pool)
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi gestures during a news conference at Rome's Chigi Palace premier's office, Saturday, May 9, 2009.
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi gestures during a news conference at Rome's Chigi Palace premier's office, Saturday, May 9, 2009.   (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Observer
May 24, 2009 8:22 AM CDT
Face up to your past Mr. B. The daughter is a sexy beauty. Take credit for banging her mom.

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