Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Berlusconi Sexist Dig Sparks Fury

100K sign petition after jab against female politician

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 21, 2009 4:34 AM CDT

(Newser) – Silvio Berlusconi may soon have a lot more than corruption charges to worry about. Italian women—who stayed largely silent during his recent sex scandals—are joining a rising feminist backlash against the Italian leader after he made sexist remarks to a female politician on live TV. "You are more beautiful than intelligent," he told matronly 58-year-old Rosy Bindi on a discussion program earlier this month.

Bindi replied: "I am not a woman at your disposal"—a response now printed on T-shirts and banners at anti-Berlusconi rallies. More than 100,000 people have now signed a petition titled "Women Offended by the Premier." In what some see as the birth of a whole new political movement, prominent journalists, actresses, and even a female minister from Berlusconi's own party have condemned the prime minister's remarks, the BBC reports. 

Italian Premier Sivlio Berlusconi, gestures as he delivers his address at a  party rally in Benevento, southern Italy.
Italian Premier Sivlio Berlusconi, gestures as he delivers his address at a party rally in Benevento, southern Italy.   (AP Photo/Tano Pecoraro)
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi looks on during a press conference he held at the end of a cabinet meeting, in Rome earlier this month.
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi looks on during a press conference he held at the end of a cabinet meeting, in Rome earlier this month.   (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italian Family Minister Rosy Bindi, right, walks next to Pope Benedict XVI.
Italian Family Minister Rosy Bindi, right, walks next to Pope Benedict XVI.   (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Someone tell Berlusconi he's no George Clooney. It's offensive that he always refers to women in aesthetic terms. - Sen. Patrizia Bugnano

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
cochiserocks
Oct 22, 2009 2:14 AM CDT
Hey Matteo - I understand you are proud of your country - that's cool - but are you really sure you want to defend Berlusconi on this? Particularly as I'm guessing that the 100,000 who signed the petition against him are Italian, do speak Italian and understand who and what he is. Of course the people on Newser judge and comment on newspaper articles - It's kind of what the site is about - We are all smart enough to be corrected though - so instead of getting so upset - why not educate us? Please could you tell me if the following information is true. 1. Berlusconi controls enough media in Italy to create a potential conflict of interest. 2. Berlusconi is accused of corruption charges which he changed the law in Italy to avoid 3. The law which he created (stating no serving prime minister could be prosecuted) has just been revoked so the courts can get to him 4. He has been accused on multiple occasions of having affairs and acting in a lewd manner towards much younger women 5. His wife is divorcing him for the affairs he has had over the years. 6. Investigators into the Mani Pulite affair were about to arrest him when he took political office 7. He was forced to resign in 1994 when a Milan magistrate's investigation was leaked - the issues were never cleared up 8. He failed to deliver at least 4 of the 6 points he promised in his Contratto con gli Italiani (English: Contract with the Italians) which most say got him re-elected. 9. HIs party rewrote electoral law to make the process more 'sympathetic; to his party's vote pattern. 10. He dissolved dissolved Forza Italia and established The People of Freedom party - which has no official charter or regulation - and was elected as its head in a closed meeting through a show of hands. I have not mentioned his close relationship with Tony Blair who is now trying to become President of Europe (lord save us!). Please could you let me know which of these stories are untrue so I can adjust my view of him accordingly. Many thanks
matteo
Oct 21, 2009 12:59 PM CDT
well if you dont understand i guess when you'll know more it will all be clear......darkf are you italian or speak italian ...my guess is no, yet you speak like you know all that has happened here for the past 30yrs...and since you dont why do you even have an opinion or care ...you must be fortunate to have so much free time to comment on things you dont even know...
NxBigmouthery
Oct 21, 2009 12:25 PM CDT
Yeah, Silvio has the best interests of italy at heart, is ethically upstanding, reasoned in thought, humble and kind. Fact is, he's a plugged, cut, botoxed narcissist who does not give a red fuck about the rule of law or separation of powers and Italians who lionize him only have themselves to blame.

More Newser Stories

George Clooney Named as Berlusconi Witness

Italy's Monti Forms Politician-Free Government

On Last Day, Berlusconi Packs a Few Precious Items

Berlusconi's Party Backs Economist as New PM

Berlusconi Quits; Hecklers Shout, 'Buffoon!'


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne