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: AC Milan makes me lose 50 million a year

Wednesday, 25 March 2014. During a meeting with MPs from the Italian region of the Marches, Silvio Berlusconi stated that maintaining the football team has a cost of 50m euro a year (£42m or $69m), which is a bit annoying, given the results.

During a gathering at Villa Grazioli, his residence in Rome, Silvio Berlusconi couldn't help talking about the AC Milan, at least with the supporters of the rossoneri among a selection of members of parliament representing his party Forza Italia.

When AC Milan was successful: Berlusconi with coach Ancelotti and captain Maldini
Photograph: New Press/Getty

Apparently one of the milanisti said “Mr President, you should do something, I am so sorrow that such an important team is in such a situation” hinting at the fact that the club is virtually out of all competitions and AC Milan seem to be free-falling.

Berlusconi: Putin is a good boy and it is reckless to ban Russian from the G8

Wednesday, 25 March 2014. During a quick interview, Silvio Berlusconi affirms that the decision to suspend Russia from the G8 is “reckless, antihistorical and counterproductive”.

Silvio Berlusconi and Vladimir Putin are good pals, and apparently invading a NATO nation is not a misconduct serious enough, in the eyes of the Italian disgraced politician, to condemn the Russian president, so he keeps on defending him even after the annexation of Crimea and the seizing of Ukraine military bases.

The playful Berlusconi and Putin in Sardinia in 2003

The decision to suspend Russia from the G8 taken during the meeting in The Hague is a “reckless” and “antihistorical” decision, far from the “constructive spirit” that characterised the “long and weighty diplomatic work” the former Italian prime minister went through in order to endorse Putin. Furthermore that will cause the downsizing of the forum to 7 members (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom) and – therefore – the remaking of all the logos and merchandising. 

Berlusconi states that none of his children will seek seats during the European elections

Saturday, 22 March 2014. During a Forza Silvio Club gathering in Rome, Silvio Berlusconi makes clear that none of his children intends to run as a candidate in the imminent European election.

Berlusconi trying to foresee the future (ANSA)

As Silvio Berlusconi was denied by Italy's highest court to ran for the EU elections, rumours spread that some of his sons and daughters would replace him, in order to boast of an elected “Berlusconi", but the former prime minister of Italy said that the reports spread buy the Italian media were “all inventions”.

Berlusconi’s eldest daughter and Mediaset executive, Marina Berlusconi, has been frequently highlighted as a possible heirs to her father, since his father's judicial woes started, but she has always denied having any intention to “run on to the pitch” (a phrase Silvio used when he decided to start a political career back in 1994).

Berlusconi: the ex-prime minister becomes an ex-knight

Wednesday, 19 March 2014. In order to avoid being publicly stripped of his knighthood, Silvio Berlusconi renounces the title, giving up one of his dearest nicknames as well as a highly regarded honour.

Anticipating the moves of the Italian Federation of Knights of Labour – they'll hold a meeting in a few days – Silvio Berlusconi has decided to stripped himself of the title of Knight of Labour, before being humiliated by a public and humiliating expulsion (he has already been expelled from the Italian Senate, and that was enough).

An old picture, taken when Silvio Berlusconi was still a Knight (source: Nonciclopedia)

The Order of Labour's ruled read state that knights must show “exemplary civil and social behaviour” and some people might have observed that a guy who is convicted for tax fraud, banned from running as a candidate for public office or travelling abroad, accused of paying for sex with an under-age prostitute (and abusing of his power in order to cover up his deeds), indicted of having bribed the witnesses of the proceedings trying to prove the latter, indicted of having bribed a bunch of Senators (the Senate of Italy is a civil plaintiff in the trial) and a few other felonies, malpractices, blunders and malpractices, might not be able to exhibit such a disposition.

Berlusconi: High court explains to former prime minister how the ban from public office works

Tuesday, 18 March 2014. Italian High Court explains to former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi how the ban from public office works, and that he cannot run as a candidate for the European Parliament.

“Yes, you're banned from public office for two year, and no, you cannot run for European Parliament” told the High Court to Silvio Berlusconi, who tried to convince them that he had a case for his appeal (appealing also to the European Court of Human Rights).

The only way for Mr Berlusconi to get back to politics might be an appointment from his friend Putin?

While he was at it, he appealed also against his expulsion from the Senate, another measure – like the interdiction from taking part in elections as a candidate – taken after Mr Berlusconi was found guilty of tax fraud. 

Berlusconi: is AC Milan club falling apart?

Monday, 17 March 2014. After a resounding 2-4 defeat at home against the humble Parma, AC Milan show all their weaknesses as the president Silvio Berlusconi point the finger against his long-time friend Galliani, ex-iconic player Carlo Maldini slams the team's management and Mario Balotelli (apparently) bangs Internazionale's player's grilfriend.

Parma FC players – among them AC Milan's reject Antonio Cassano – would have never dreamed of beating the rossoneri in San Siro, a few months ago, but now, as everybody seem to be able to beat Berlusconi's team (not only Atletico Madrid), things are different and the 2-4 win doesn't sound so uncanny. But still, AC Milan's fans did not take it well, and started to stage a protest.

Silvio Berlusconi and AC Milan's trophies
on an old photo from the times when the club was a successful team.

“[New coach] Seedor is not the problem” declared Silvio Berlusconi – who handpicked the Dutch after sacking Massimiliano Allegri - in a quick interview, “there are no discussions, he will be here next year as well”. Berlusconi's stubbornness is pretty well known in Italy, the supporter might be tempted to wait and see, instead of tackling head on the Cavaliere.

Berlusconi: former (blonde) entourage member is arrested for possession of 24 kg of cocaine

Thursday, 13 March 2014. A blonde that escorted Silvio Berlusconi on a trip to the G8 summit in Toronto has been seized at Rome's airport with 24 kg of cocaine.

Nobody is really surprised to see Mr Berlusconi hanging around with young blonde (or dark-haired, for that matters) women, now that you know him, but back in 2010 people were a bit puzzled to see a mysterious girl popping out of the prime minister's state aeroplane in Toronto, where he flew to take part in the G8 summit.

Federica Gagliardi, aka the White Lady, when she travelled with the prime minister
of Italy - Silvio Berlusconi - to Toronto's G8 Summit (2010)

At that time the good looking female's identity was kept secret – for a while – and she was then dubbed the “white lady” by the creative Italians, since she appeared in a completely milky dress, particularly visible as compared to Silvio Berlusconi's dark blue suit or the brilliant red of the Royal Canadian guards' jackets. 

Barbara Berlusconi presence at Vicente Calderón's stadium cannot avoid AC Milan's defeat to Atletico Madrid

Tuesday, 11 March 2014. As her father is not allowed to travel abroad, Barbara Berlusconi joined the AC Milan team in Madrid, only to see them heavily defeated by Atletico (4-1).

As you might already know, Silvio Berlusconi's passport has been confiscated by the Italian authorities (as he was convicted for tax fraud, in August last year), so he cannot follow his team – AC Milan – when the football team's away games are to be played outside the borders of Italy (as well as he cannot join his fellow European Popular Party's members on their gatherings around Europe).

Barbara Berlusconi tends to get excited by football matches

So as her father was not able to travel to Spain, Barbara Berlusconi was in charge and represented the family (apropos, did you know that her parents finally divorced, last month?) and management of the uber-decorated team at the Vicente Calderón Stadium, when Atletico Madrid resoundingly slapped the rossoneri and consequently eliminated the Italian side from the Champions League by winning the game 4-1.

Berlusconi is not allowed to travel to Ireland for European Popular Party conference

Wednesday, 4 March 2014. A court in Milan has denied Silvio Berlusconi a permit to leave Italy and have some fun with his fellow members of the European Popular Party (EPP) in Dublin.

Just for a change, a Milan court rejected a request by former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, whose passport was confiscated after his conviction for tax fraud, to leave Italy and attend a conference in Ireland.

I'ts been a long time since Mr Berlusconi had a proper pint

One of the most outspoken allies of the billionaire turned into politician, Daniela Santanchè (a nice piece of ass, according to Berlusconi), called the Milan court's decision on Tuesday “a disgrace.”, adding that “Certain judges just can't help engaging into politics,”.