The Italian Prime Minister: Silvio Berlusconi

The Italian Prime Minister - Silvio Berlusconi - Age 74

Silvio – The Charge:

On April 6^th 2011, Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, 74, will be facing a court case regarding a charge (among many others) that he paid for sex with an underage prostitute (she was 17 at the time).  The Moroccan dancer/prostitute in question is called, ‘Ruby the Heart Stealer’ – she is also claiming to be the ousted Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak’s niece.  Berlusconi claims to have had her released from police custody in order to maintain a healthy diplomatic relationship with Egypt.  This is clearly an abuse of his power.

Ruby the Heart Stealer

Silvio – The Person:

The Italian culture is renowned for romanticism, curvaceous women and notions of fulfilling sex, but Berlusconi is seen by many to have debased this culture.  In fact, he has pioneered for the last twenty years what many deem as ‘sexist television’, and even owns three prime television stations.  Following is a clip from one such television station, which was featured during prime time viewing: 

There is no doubting that Berlusconi is obsessed with attractive women. 

He has continuously made political appointments of beauty queens.  One such appointment was of the Equal Opportunities Minister, Mara Carfagna, who was also once a showgirl on one of the Berlusconi-owned channels. 

Mara Carfunga - The Politician and the Showgirl

Berlusconi is also renowned for his ‘bunga bunga’ parties.  The name of these parties refers to crude sex games whereby women were known to wear nurses’ outfits and police uniforms.  At one such party it was claimed that there were 33 women, all involved in an orgy.

He has openly made comments about unattractive women in interviews claiming that they are only intelligent because they have no beauty.  Beauty is a quality he upholds higher than any other one.  Even in his political advertising campaigns, attractive women are the key to his success. 

In a public display, Berlusconi’s second wife, Veronica Lario, demanded a divorce in 2009 claiming Berlusconi ‘cavorts with minors’ and was ‘a dragon to whom young virgins offer themselves’.

Veronica Lario - Silvio Berlusconi's ex-wife

Silvio – The Politician:

All this chauvinism and playboy image aside, what has Berlusconi done for Italy?  What are his political policies?  And, how does he measure up to the people of Italy?

Berlusconi, nicknamed ‘The Knight’, due to an Order he received, is Italy’s second longest serving Prime Minister.  After completing his Law degree he began what became a thriving property business.  In 1993 he entered politics and a year later became Italy’s Prime Minister.  Since, he has been in and out of the Prime Ministership, and has also faced other corruption charges.

He is now the richest man in Italy, and the owner of several media enterprises and the nation’s top football team.  As for his government’s policies they have included:

·      Stronger ties with America, including supporting the invasion of Iraq.

·      Promoting a greater friendship with Israel and Turkey.

·      Moving away from pro-Arab countries.

·      Improving relationships with Russia.

·      Reforming the Italian Constitution.

·      Budget cuts to education due to the financial global crisis.

·      Reducing the powers of the Magistrates in the courts.

Some Italians claim that Berlusconi has operated as a shrewd businessman and saved a great deal of money for Italy.  They also uphold that he has forced politicians to actually do some work and not just sit in their ivory towers.  However, the current polls show that nearly half the people in Italy want Berlusconi not to finish his current term in office. 

An important note: the three judges in this current Berlusconi case were selected by a computer at random – and ALL are female.  Watch closely for the outcome of this case.

Discussion Questions

•     Should a politician’s personal life be taken into consideration?
•   To what extent can we accept conflicts of interest in a person’s occupation?
•    Do you think the current legal claims against the Italian Prime Minister only amount to ‘scandal politics’?