‘Viva Berlusconi’? Not So Much

Staff / Truthdig Oct 8, 2009 Italy's colorful prime minister is in a heap of legal trouble now that the country's high court has stripped him of immunity. Despite facing charges of corruption, bribery, tax evasion and fraud, Silvio Berlusconi stayed in character, saying, "The trials against me are a farce. Viva Italia and Viva Berlusconi!" Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Berlusconi Accused of Censorship

Staff / Truthdig Sep 3, 2009 Everyone's favorite world leader/womanizer is in the news again after a film director accused the Italian prime minister of censorship. Italian state television has refused to show a film trailer that accuses Silvio Berlusconi of creating a "frivolous media culture," and many think the PM's incredible influence over the media has something to do with it. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Berlusconi Suing European Media Outlets for Libel

Staff / Truthdig Aug 29, 2009 Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is aiming to do some serious image rehab after taking a beating in the European press this summer for his alleged sexual indiscretions. To that end, Berlusconi is pulling out the legal big guns and going after publications in France, Italy, Spain and Britain for besmirching his reputation. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

‘Colorful’ Leaders Could Learn From Boring Brown

William Pfaff / Truthdig Jul 29, 2009 It sometimes pays to be a nondescript politician, like Gordon Brown of Britain. Flamboyance of the Latin kind gets you into the newspapers, but for bad reasons as well as good. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Berlusconi’s Italians [A Cartoon From Germany]

Rainer Hachfeld, Neues Deutschland, Germany Jun 29, 2009 Dig deeper

Women Push Boycott of Berlusconi

Staff / Truthdig Jun 23, 2009 Three Italian women academics have called upon the wives of world leaders attending the G-8 summit in Italy next month to boycott the gathering in a stance against Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi's "sexist" and "offensive" attitude toward women. Could they be referring to his harem of call girls, his rumored affair with an 18-year-old, or his nominations of ex-showgirls to the European Parliament? Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Lo Scandalo: Italian PM in Hot Water

Staff / Truthdig May 29, 2009 Bill Clinton's got nothing on Silvio Berlusconi, if the Italian prime minister's estranged wife's claims are proved true. Rumors that the 72-year-old Berlusconi had improper relations with a minor, and invited some 40 young women to his villa for a New Year's Eve party, aren't significant for their titillation value so much as for the threat they may pose to his position as Italy's head of state. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

How Many World Leaders Does It Take to Change a Light Bulb?

Staff / Truthdig Apr 2, 2009 Following a private audience with the queen of England, President Obama joined a reception and dinner with other world leaders from the G-20 summit. What happens when you get Silvio Berlusconi, Hillary Clinton, Nicolas Sarkozy, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Prince Charles and J.K. Rowling in a room? More wine, please. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Grand Theft Slogan

Staff / Truthdig Apr 17, 2008 Consider Barack Obama a trendsetter: In Italy, the recently defeated center-left leader in the parliamentary elections took a cue from the American candidate and adopted the slogan "Si può fare" or, as The Economist translates, "It can be done." Right-winger Silvio Berlusconi, who won a convincing victory in that election, begged to differ. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Another Round for Silvio

Staff / Truthdig Apr 15, 2008 With the concession of his main rival, conservative media mogul Silvio Berlusconi is set to take up a third term as Italy's prime minister. Although a divisive and controversial figure, Berlusconi offered "An affectionate kiss to all Italians" over the news. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Berlusconi Wants More

Staff / Truthdig Apr 11, 2008 Silvio Berlusconi, billionaire, media mogul and former prime minister of Italy, is calling for voters to give him a substantial majority of parliament seats as he vies a third time for the country's most powerful office. The elections, to be held Sunday and Monday, will decide whether the country is led by a center-left coalition or Berlusconi's right-wing "Freedom Folks." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Hell Hath No Fury Like an Italian Woman Scorned

Staff / Truthdig Feb 2, 2007 Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi lost his job thanks to his support of the Iraq war and alleged abuses of power, but he had another headache altogether this week. In a letter that appeared on the front page of a major newspaper, Berlusconi's wife browbeat him for his public flirtations and demanded an apology -- which she got. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )