Silvio Berlusconi's wife attacks his 'shameless' election stunt
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6191103.ece
Barbara Matera, a former Miss Italy contestant, is expected to be included on the PdL's election slate
Richard Owen in Rome
Silvio Berlusconi's wife has publicly attacked the Italian Prime Minister's plan to field attractive television showgirls as candidates in June's European elections as "shameless rubbish to entertain the Emperor".
Veronica Lario, a former actress, said that the move was "against women" and those who defend womens' rights.
Last week Mr Berlusconi held a meeting of his ruling centre-right Popolo della Liberta (PdL) party to vet candidates for the European elections, including a number of female TV announcers and Big Brother contestants.
"I want it to be quite clear that my children and I are victims and not accomplices in this situation," Ms Lario said. "We have to endure it, and it makes us suffer."
Mr Berlusconi said that his wife – whom he referred to as "La Signora Veronica" – was the victim of manipulation by the Left, which had spread unfounded reports about his advancement of women from showbusiness. His party was including women candidates because "we want to renew our political class with people who are cultivated and well prepared", unlike the "malodorous and badly dressed people who represent certain parties in parliament", he added.
The media speculated that Ms Lario's fury may have been fuelled by reports that on Sunday Mr Berlusconi attended the 18th birthday of a woman, Noemi Letizia, who calls him "Daddy". Her mother, Anna, runs a perfume shop in Naples and previously worked in television, according to reports
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6191103.ece
Barbara Matera, a former Miss Italy contestant, is expected to be included on the PdL's election slate
Richard Owen in Rome
Silvio Berlusconi's wife has publicly attacked the Italian Prime Minister's plan to field attractive television showgirls as candidates in June's European elections as "shameless rubbish to entertain the Emperor".
Veronica Lario, a former actress, said that the move was "against women" and those who defend womens' rights.
Last week Mr Berlusconi held a meeting of his ruling centre-right Popolo della Liberta (PdL) party to vet candidates for the European elections, including a number of female TV announcers and Big Brother contestants.
"I want it to be quite clear that my children and I are victims and not accomplices in this situation," Ms Lario said. "We have to endure it, and it makes us suffer."
Mr Berlusconi said that his wife – whom he referred to as "La Signora Veronica" – was the victim of manipulation by the Left, which had spread unfounded reports about his advancement of women from showbusiness. His party was including women candidates because "we want to renew our political class with people who are cultivated and well prepared", unlike the "malodorous and badly dressed people who represent certain parties in parliament", he added.
The media speculated that Ms Lario's fury may have been fuelled by reports that on Sunday Mr Berlusconi attended the 18th birthday of a woman, Noemi Letizia, who calls him "Daddy". Her mother, Anna, runs a perfume shop in Naples and previously worked in television, according to reports
