Silvio Berlusconi

"The Marrazzo affair solidifies for many Berlusconi's reputation as the real ladies man," says Zincone. "And of course in the end, Italy is a Catholic country, where everything is eventually forgiven."

Read more: In Italy, A Sex Scandal to Rival Berlusconi's | In this article: Piero Marrazzo, Rome, Italy, Cocaine, Lapo Elkann, and Lazio

One of Berlusconi's lawyers, Ippolita Ghedini, said: "I find it unspeakable that these reports come out. This sort of news does not contribute towards a separation by mutual consent."

Read more: Berlusconi's wife seeks GBP38m-a-year divorce | In this article: Veronica Lario, Corriere della Sera, Italy, and Bari

"Sources close to the head of government (Berlusconi) are also saying that 60 to 70 million euros have already been paid out to Veronica", it said.

Read more: Berlusconi estranged wife eyes $65 mln a year | In this article: Veronica Lario, Corriere della Sera, Forbes magazine, and Italy

"As I've said many times, I don't comment to the press on matters relating to my clients," said Miss Lario's lawyer, Maria Cristina Morelli. A lawyer for Mr Berlusconi, Ippolita Ghedini, said: "It's a separation that needs to be treated with appropriate discretion, as with all divorces."

Read more: Silvio Berlusconi's wife 'demands GBP3m a month' | In this article: Veronica Lario, Allegation, Milan, Italy, Tax, and Corriere della Sera

"I have always maintained complete silence on my client's affairs and I don't intend to change that now." Berlusconi's lawyer Niccolo Ghedini, who is also defending him in ongoing corruption trials, was unavailable for comment while a spokeswoman for Ms Lario said: "She doesn't want to make any public comment. Thank you."

Read more: Silvio's wife in GBP39m-a-year bid | In this article: Veronica Lario, Sardinia, Milan, Rome, Tuscany, and Trademark

"The mandate we received from voters was to govern for five years. And we intend to complete this mandate with determination - for the good of the country. "The ruling coalition is solid, irrespective of any internal dialectic which can only strengthen its ability to produce ideas," Berlusconi said. The premier's remarks came after Italy's Senate speaker Renato Schifani stated Tuesday: "The parliament must enact the programme of the government. If this fails to happen, elections must be called."

Read more: Italian PM rules out early elections | In this article: Italy, Tax, Gianfranco Fini, Renato Schifani, and Rome

About those female parliamentary candidates, Berlusconi says in the book he chose "only women with a career profile that was of morally, intellectually, and culturally high standards."

Read more: Berlusconi denies sex scandal in new book | In this article: Veronica Lario, Allegation, Italy, U.S., E mail, Scarlet fever, and CNN

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi caused a controversy when he said, in an interview to the German station n-tv, that the homeless victims should consider themselves to be on a "camping weekend" - "They have everything they need, they have medical care, hot food... Of course, their current lodgings are a bit temporary. But they should see it like a weekend of camping."

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Berlusconi also said "I will try to help relations between Russia and the United States where a new generation has come to power, and I don't see problems for Medvedev to establish good relations with Obama who is handsome, young and also suntanned," and that Obama's election had been "hailed by world public opinion as the arrival of a messiah". There were some critics because he described Obama as suntanned but Berlusconi called them "imbeciles"

Read more: International reaction to the United States presidential election, 2008 | In this article: Barack Obama, United States, Democracy, God, Africa, Manouchehr Mottaki, Kenya, and Lee Myung-bak

"Regarding the opposition shown by certain countries - some of which are important countries - I am confident we will be able to convince them of the strategic importance of Turkey, within the European framework, as a country bordering the Middle East," Berlusconi declared. On November 5, 2008, the Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini declared that "the Italian government will support the inclusion of Turkey in the European Union with all its strength."

Read more: Accession of Turkey to the European Union | In this article: European Union, Turkey, Europe, Cyprus, Council of Europe, Carl Bildt, and Nicolas Sarkozy