Berlusconi: riding cats and dogs to gain support

Sunday, 30 March 2014. In a desperate attempt to gain support in the run-up to May European Elections, Silvio Berlusconi has become a strenuous campaigner for animal adoption.

The Mr Berlusconi is looking for a tiger to ride, in order to gain some support at least within his ageing target group, the young pensioners, and show that ditching the People of Liberty movement (Popolo della Libertà) and re-founding his old party “Forza Italia” (Go Italy o Forward Italy, according to the interpretations) was, all in all, a pretty good idea.

“This dog is my happiness” says a visibly satisfied Berlusconi on the Facebook page of Dudù,
Francesca Pascale's pet (photograph: Forza Dudù)

So far the disgraced politician (who was sentenced for tax fraud, booted from parliament, banned from travelling abroad, and his woes related to the bunga-bunga parties sex scandal are far from over) has been clutching at straws, lacking a proper wild beast, he is now experimenting with cats and dogs, playing the role of the wise and nice elderly man (his look had already been changed accordingly). Beggers can't be choosers

Berlusconi's divorce from second wife Veronica Lario was finalized (but the money issue is still to be settled)

Tuesday, 18 February 2014. A court in northern Italy's town of Monza finalized the divorce between Silvio Berlusconi and his second wife Veronica Lario (but the battle about the money to be paid in alimony is still to be fought).

A Silvio Berlusconi overwhelmed by emotions...

Here's how it started: Veronica Lario (who's real name is Miriam Raffaella Bartolini), asked for divorce, saying that his husband is a sick man having affairs with under-age girls (see photo below). Just for the record, the Lario woman was a former lover of Silvio Berlusconi when he was still married to his first wife Carla Elvira Lucia Dall'Oglio.

The "non-consensual separation" took off after a while, it was filed on 25 December 2012: 22 years and 10 days after they wedding. The wedlock brought three children: Barbara, Eleonora and Luigi (even though, actually, Barbara Berlusconi was born in 1984, when her father was still married to his first wife).

Berlusconi shows his new look, with wrinkles and all

Sunday, 26 January 2014. In order to differentiate himself from his young opponent Matteo Renzi, Silvio Berlusconi is switching to a new look. An older one.

Berlusconi as shown by the Sunday Times

For decades Silvio Berlusconi has been labouring on his external appearance, in order to look younger than he actually is (he turned 77 on 29 September 2013), by means of hair transplant, face lifting, changing his headgear into something newer and pictures tweaking.

He thus created a well known persona: the youthful, women lover, brilliant entrepreneur, who adores to enjoy life and organising bunga-bunga parties in his Arcore's villa, who has a girlfriend - Francesca Pascale - 50 years his junior (but many other girls boasted of having a relationship with Berlusconi, like show-girl Nicole Minetti and Miss Montenegro Katarina Knezevic).

Berlusconi, Is François Hollande stealing the show from you?

Monday, 20 January 2014. Rumours has it Berlusconi's post of “chief clown” (and sleazy politician) of Europe might be at risk, due to François Hollande latest moves.

The rivalry between Italians and Frenchmen is not a novelty, but an escalation of the old competition might be expected... on quite new territory and high level.

Mr Berlusconi – who is pretty a narcissistic person - has clearly been taking care that everybody (in Europe and in the world) know he is the biggest politician-womaniser ever. The pro-Berlusconi Italian newspaper “Il Giornale” likened him to JFK, one of the most famous roué in recent history.

François Hollande and his Italian-made scooter: is he stealing the show from Berlusconi (I mean Hollande, not the scooter)? 

Berlusconi – and quite a few Italians, like Silvio's associate Giuliano Ferrara (and he showed it! Look at this...) – are evidently proud of it (I mean Italian machismo and chauvinism is in the news, everyday. Look at Berlusconi doing work on this video on our YouTube channel!). And now this Frenchman, this François Hollande (they never liked each other, as you can see on this post...), comes up with a new sweetheart – an actress, Julie Gayet, 20 years his junior - who he has been meeting with for quite a while. And not only he is cheating on his current partner, journalist Valérie Trierweiler, but since the present First Lady was a concubine herself (when their love story begun, politician Ségolène Royal was Francois' lawful wife), well, that makes a pretty stunning performance, isn't it? 

Berlusconi like Santa Claus: the former prime minister bestows jobless couple 50.000 euro

Monday, 6 January 2014. A jobless couple wrote a letter to Silvio Berlusconi about their miserable condition, and get in reply 50,000 euro from the former prime minister of Italy. It's in the news.

Santa's hat, a headgear Berlusconi hasn't worn yet
(we Photoshopped it, as you might have noticed)

Hitherto to get private donations from Silvio Berlusconi you had to be a sexy young woman like the Ruby the Heartstealer or the other “olgettine”, as the billionaire said he wasn't able to “take care of personal situations”.

Now something has obviously changed, and the money of the former prime minister of Italy seems not to be just a prerogative of the Berlusconi women, as the local newspaper Il Gazzettino reported on Monday.

It could be due to the Christmas atmosphere, or (as Silvio's enemies might think) just to the lack of better arguments in his struggle to gain visibility, avoid jail and stay alive after being convicted for tax fraud and subsequently being expelled from the Senate of Italy.

Berlusconi files appeal against bunga-bunga sex conviction

Thursday, 2 January 2014. Silvio Berlusconi appeals against his conviction for paying for sex with a minor and abuse of office, nasty things he did when Prime Minister of Italy, according to judges.

Berlusconi just couldn't resist teenage Ruby's charm

Silvio Berlusconi was given a 7-year sentence in the end of June 2013 for having sex with a minor (the nightclub dancer and stripper Karima El Mahroug, better known as Ruby the Heartstealer, her stage name) and for abusing of his office as a prime minister, when he tried to cover the story that threaten to become public, as the young girl was stopped by the police.

Berlusconi personally phoned the policemen, saying that they better release Ruby into the safe hands of show-girl-turned-into-politician Nicole Minetti (the attractive young woman will also get a 7-year sentence – later on – for procuring women for the former Italian prime minister's bunga-bunga parties in Villa San Martino), since it seemed she's the nephew of Egypt's president Hosni Mubarak.

Berlusconi receives Vladimir Putin in Arcore, where they are caught playing joyfully by a camera (photos)

Wednesday, 5 December 2013. Silvio Berlusconi is caught playing joyfully with his friend Vladimir Putin at Arcore's villa, though there are two versions of the story.

Berlusconi, Putin, a ball, a dog (left): which picture is real and which is fake?

Silvio Berlusconi's good friend Vladimir Putin - whose profession is being the president of Russia –, and in the end of November he was a guest at the Arcore's home of the Italian billionaire, when they were caught playing in one of the corridors of the magnificent villa (in fact one of the most beautiful of the properties owned by the former prime minister of Italy).

Pictures of the event were published by both the authoritative Facebook page Prugna (“Prune”) and the gossip magazine “Chi” (“Who”) - a publication owned by the Berlusconi family. You won't find this in the news.

Berlusconi expelled from Italy's Senate for good

Thursday, 28 November 2013. Voting 9 times “no” during an emotional meeting of Italy's Senate, Italian senators give way to Berlusconi's expulsion from the Italian Parliament, after tax fraud conviction.

Berlusconi is a «political prisoner» of the Red Brigades (hinting at leftists judges), according to his fans

The Senate of Italy was pretty crowded yesterday, even though one of the famously habitual absentee – Silvio Berlusconi – was absent.

Perhaps he meant to boycott the sitting, but since he is never present, no-one noticed that.

On the agenda nine votes, all related to the media tycoon turned into politician and his judicial woes. Mr Berlusconi somehow keeps on being the major issue of the country.

Berlusconi will fight against the coup d'etat that plans to (politically) kill him, but a presidential pardon would do either

Sunday, 24 November 2013. Talking to the younger generation of Forza Italia militants, Berlusconi says he is a victim of a coup d'etat (and Giorgio Napolitano should help him getting out of the pickle).

Talking to a Forza Italia's gathering of young followers, Silvio Berlusconi reiterated his j'accuse, saying that he is a victim of a leftist coup d'etat aiming to his “political murder”.

Silvio Berlusconi with Annagrazia Calabria,
National Coordinator of Forza Italia's youth movement Giovane Italia (Young Italy)

And Italy's Head of State Giorgio Napolitano – went on Berlusconi - should “grant him a presidential pardon without any hesitation” even though his dignity does not allow him to ask for it (and Mr Napolitano previously tried to convince him that you can “grant” something only if somebody “have asked for it”).

In the meantime Berlusconi's former heir apparent Angelino Alfano said he won't join Forza Italia, founded a breakaway party (the New Centre-Right, NCR), declared he won't take part in the protest to be staged on November 27 (on that day the Senate will vote on Berlusconi's expulsion from the Italian parliament), even though he still loves Berlusconi and they should remain friends and allies and all that stuff.

Berlusconi is just like JFK, according to an Italian newspaper

Friday, 22 November 2013. 50 years after the death of JFK, the Italian newspaper “Il Giornale” explains how Silvio Berlusconi is “just like John Fitzerald Kennedy”.

JFK and Silvio Berlusconi: two of a kind?

The rightist “Il Giornale” ("The Newspaper") is a newspaper owned by the Berlusconi family, no surprise if they staunchly defend the positions of the former prime minister of Italy and news sound like pleas.

But this time in a front page editorial (headlined “A Kennedy in Arcore”) they dare to compare Silvio Berlusconi to none other than JFK – whose died exactly 50 years before, shot dead in Dallas, Texas – on the following grounds: we are talking about two wealthy, very wealthy, politicians, both used their wealth to push themselves through politics and both managed to beat their high-flier opponents. And both men had a dream that couldn't become true: in the case of JFK because he got assassinated, in the case of Mr Berlusconi, because “we are in Italy!” (according to the article).

Has Silvio Berlusconi already married his girlfriend Francesca Pascale?

Wednesday, 30 October 2013. Bunga-bunga parties' regular Marysthell Polanco reveals to Italian radio that Silvio Berlusconi and Francesca Pascale already married weeks before at Arcore's villa.

The happy couple: Silvio and Francesca

Guesting at Italian public Radio2's “A day as a sheep” (“Un giorno da pecora”), the Dominican model and singer (and regular guest to Bunga-bunga parties in Berlusconi's Villa San Martino in Arcore) Marysthell Polanco was asked whether the former prime minister of Italy – now 77 – will ever marry his girlfriend, the 28-year-old Francesca Pascale?

Berlusconi's girlfriend is a lesbian, says actress Michelle Bonev, their engagement is a sham

Thursday, 10 October 2013. On her blog, Italian actress of Bulgarian descent Michelle Bonev wrote a post where discloses the fact that Silvio Berlusconi's girlfriend is – in fact – a lesbian. Since she is coming out, she also reveals details of his relationship with the former PM of Italy.

“The truth will make us free” reads the title of the post published on actress Michelle Bonev (real name Dragomira Boneva), where she declares that she had an affair with Silvio Berlusconi's girlfriend, the 28-year-old Francesca Pascale.

All together: (former) lover Nicole Minetti, Silvio Berlusconi,
girlfriend Francesca Pascale, (former) protégé Michelle Bonev (Dragomira Boneva), standing

Michelle/Dragomira is an actress, who started working as a nightclub escort, after moving to Italy from Bulgaria when she was 18. Then Bonev discovered Silvio Berlusconi, she was one of the actresses and girls gathering around Berlusconi in order to get money, work, gifts. She got parts, help, and when needed a budget to produce a film, Goodbye Mama (rated 4.9/10 on the Internet Movie Database), in which she was the protagonist and the director, she got it. With the help of Italian taxpayers.

Berlusconi is getting richer and richer

Wednesday, 7 August 2013. As Silvio Berlusconi's judiciary woes grow and political clout wanes, his wealth seems to rise steadily, according to Bloomberg.

Now, look at me! (Photo: REUTERS)

Apart from a few criminal convictions, Silvio Berlusconi's 2013 hasn't been that bad so far, for his wealth increased by the amount of 1.5 billion US dollars (which is almost 1 billion Pound Sterling or about 1.12bn in European Euros), rising by 26 percent and reaching the mind blowing sum of $7.6bn (i.e. £4.9bn or €5.7bn), according to Bloomberg Billionaires index (#1 on the leaderboard still being Mr Bill Gates, with a fortune of $72.6bn/£46.6bn/€54.4, but Silvio has quite a nice heap of money too).

Berlusconi and the last race

Wednesday, 7 August 2013. An Italian newspaper reveals details of Silvio Berlusconi last attempt to escape from imprisonment.

Silvio Berlusconi, almost ready for the tour

After the Giro d'Italia (the Italian version of the French cycling race Tour de France, which took place in May 2013), according to right-wing newspaper Libero, Italy is going to witness another country-wide event, the Giro della Libertà (i.e. Tour of Freedom in English), a race meant to keep Silvio Berlusconi away from prison (if he's fast enough), after his conviction to a four-year prison term for tax fraud.

What are the details of the tour? The Knight was quotes saying «Until 15 August [Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary], I'll stay put,» to his inner circle he met at his residence in Rome Palazzo Grazioli, «but then I'll make a bang.», before moving on to his villa in Arcore. The objective of all this fuss? Obtain the presidential pardon from head of state Giorgio Napolitano (we assume).

Berlusconi tearful pledge of innocence in front of thousand of supporters

Sunday, 4 August 2013. Thousands of Berlusconi's supporters travel – free of charge – to Rome to listen to Forza Italia's founder pledge of innocence and refusal to be called (and treated as a) fraudster.

Silvio Berlusconi and girlfriend Francesca Pascale, moved and tested

Who thought that Silvio Berlusconi's first definitive conviction would mean get rid of the billionaire and calm down Italy, should think again, as the former prime minister gathered thousands of supporter in a meeting in Rome and Italian politics seems bound to plunge into turmoil.

Berlusconi: We are all whores, aren't we?

Tuesday, 25 June 2013. In the wake of the Rubygate sentence against Silvio Berlusconi , journalist and PdL politician Giuliano Ferrara together with other 400 odd people express they opinion that, all in all, we are all whores, women and men.

Giuliano Ferrara showing a cardboard Berlusconi and a larger-than-life Mubarak poster

The day before a court in Milan found Silvio Berlusconi guilty of having paid an under-age prostitute for sex services and having abused of his power as prime minister, and Giuliano Ferrara did not like it.

Berlusconi will stand for prime minister (again?) if Bersani rejections of a large coalition leads to new elections

Saturday, 13 April, 2013. During a gathering in Bari, Silvio Berlusconi said he will run for prime minister for a fifth time if a a new election will be held following the centre-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani rejects forming a government with him.

The role of the saviour of the fatherland is Silvio Berlusconi's favourite, and he is trying to impersonate it again, as Italy keeps on wasting time trying to muddle up with its disgraceful state without a government, two months after general election created three hostile and feckless blocs.

Silvio, Silvio, Silvio!

In the months before February general election, the former prime minister first said goodbye to political life, than decided he had to stay, but – he said – without running for office. At least not as premier, at the most as minister of Economy.

Well, now things seems to have changed again, as Silvio has realised that without him Italy will be just going to the dogs. So he decided to seek office as a PM for the fifth time. Roberto Benigni is not going to like it...

Berlusconi at odds with Francesca Pascale?

Tuesday, 9 April, 2013. Meeting up with political opponents Enrico Letta and Pier Luigi Bersani (in order to find a common path for the election of the new head of state of Italy) Silvio Berlusconi finds time to complain about his girlfriend Francesca Pascale's attitudes.

The photo published by the newspaper Libero (real or fake?)

It might be quite unusual for Silvio Berlusconi to meet up with adversaries (especially when they are old wily communists, like Pier Luigi Bersani), but for sure it is unprecedented for the former prime minister of Italy to take it out on his beloved Neapolitan girlfriend (their engagement was made public last December) with them.

Yet that's exactly what happened, according to the right-wing newspaper Libero, as the presidente of the People of Liberty party (PdL) decided to have a chat with two of the Democratic Party's (PD) leaders, about how to get to vote for successor to the president of Italy Giorgio Napolitano without any squabble (if possible).

Berlusconi leaves his worries behind...

Fri, 22 March, 2013. Silvio Berlusconi is portrayed as a driver of a Ford Figo who “leaves his worries behind”, symbolised by Ruby the Heartstealer, Francesca Pascale and Nicole Minetti tied up and gagged in the boot of the car.

The infamous advert created for Ford India,

with Karima-Ruby, Francesca and Nicole

A drawing appearing on the Ford Figo's ad by Ford India Ltd shows three curvaceous women – namely belly dancer Karima El Mahroug aka Ruby the Heart Breaker, Silvio Berlusconi's girlfriend Francesca Pascale and (former) sweetheart Nicole Minetti – hands a feet tied, muzzled, in the rear booth of a red car, whilst the former Italian prime minister is sitting in front of the vehicle, at the wheel, smiling and showing the V sign.

«Leave your worries behind with Figo's extra-large boot» reads the claim on the bottom of the page, obviously referring to Silvio's headaches about bunga-bunga parties, sex scandal trials, and other matters related to women.

Not exactly something that Berlusconi would find funny – we presume – and not exactly something in a good taste – we might say – considering the poor record of India in terms of behaviour of men towards women.

Silvio Berlusconi and the man-marking of Lionel Messi

Monday, February 18, 2013. Silvio Berlusconi suggests that AC Milan's coach Massimiliano Allegri should take care of Barcelona's striker Lionel Messi man-marking him, making clear that presidents (like him) don't meddle with tactics, but they do fire managers.

Lionel Messi, the menace

While giving an interview to Italian radio RTL 102.5, Silvio Berlusconi – AC Milan's president and owner – talked about the tough game his team will face on Wednesday, when they will play Barcelona UEFA Champions League in San Siro (recently signed Mario “Bad apple”Balotelli will not play, not being on the EUFA list for the competition), and said that “It will be very difficult to beat them” and “my suggestion is that [Lionel] Messi is man-marked.”. You cannot let your hair down, with players like him.

In the following day the former Italian prime minister also suggested the name of the defender who should take care of the Barça's (nickname of the Catalan side) Argentine Ballon D'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year, the midfielder Sulley Muntari.