He may be a crooked sleaze bag, but Italy's prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi is again entertaining us with his sexual shenanigans. Today's news is full of the 74 year-old premier's deinial of any wrongdoing with a 17-year-old lapdancer called Ruby.
"I love life, I love women", Berlusconi is reported as saying, as he now faces allegations of having sex with a minor. Ruby was only 15 when she first met Silvio who apparantly paid her 7,000 euros. Although both deny there being any physical relationship.
For a country that's had a record 21 prime ministers since 1945, Berlusconi's politial staying power is remarkable staying power, being the only premier to hold the position in excess of four years. Actually, he's now in his second term as PM, having held the position for a cumulative total of more than six years. But his days must now be surely numbered. It must only be a matter of time before business and corruption scandals, combined with his obvious interest in teenage girls, will catch up with him.
I admire Italy for many wonderful reasons. It has some of the most wonderful food and wine in the world. It's people are relaxed, friencly and warm. It has some of the most maginificent countryside, as well as some of the most impressive towns and citiies including Rome, which is one of my most favourite of cities in the world. But Italy's politics has always been an embarrassment.
Grandpa Jonathan
Prague, Czech Republic
