Times Again

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April 17, 2008
Silvio Berlusconi: Anatomy of a Roman emperor

His brand of bombastic politics would never fly in Whitehall; but in Italy he's the Boss - virile, successful, rich, dynamic, and clearly, if the Italian voters are to be believed, irresistible. We take a closer look at the man who is once more Prime Minister of Italy
Sarah Vine

HAIR Italian men are often accused of vanity - but one man's ego is another's innate sense of style. And doesn't the world's most glamorous country need a man who takes care of himself? Berlusconi believes he is handsome, and when the mirror doesn't concur, he has it altered.

HEAD Berlusconi behaves like most Italian men would if they suddenly found themselves in power: blustery, gauche, a bit too pompous. It's quite touching really. Either that or it's a clever act to conceal the mind of a genius. But we don't think so.

HEART A dodgy ticker hasn't slowed Berlusconi's ardour for the one passion that all Italians share: football. As the owner of AC Milan, one of Italy's most successful football teams, Berlusconi's appeal goes straight to the heart of that passion. Currently, he is taking a few minutes off from saving the country to try to steal Ronaldinho from FC Barcelona. With balls like that, it's a wonder that the man can still walk.

MUSCLE Italians pride themselves on their legendary powers of persuasion. In his wooing of the electorate, Berlusconi has been handing out promises like favours at a Neapolitan wedding. Top of his agenda is protecting the interests of Italy's national airline, Alitalia (aka, Always Late In Take-off, Always Late In Arrival), recently the subject of a proposed takeover on behalf of Air France. The deal appears to be off. Might someone have made someone else an offer they couldn't possibly refuse?

STOMACH As well as football, Berlusconi's empire encompasses the print and broadcast media, advertising, insurance, food and construction. One way or another, he has embraced every aspect of Italian life - including some of the less salubrious. Namely, the barely concealed animosity many Italians harbour for anyone not entirely native to il Bel Paese. Berlusconi is on good terms with the troublesome Lega Nord, who believe that anything or anyone south of Rome is essentially foreign. And not in a good way.

HANDS Berlusconi understands better than anyone the Italian natural dislike of beaureaucracy. Technically, Italy has more red tape than any country; but not if you happen to have a pair of Silvio Scissors to hand. In his own dealings, the man has an almost superhuman ability to escape the unimaginative boundaries of the law, a Houdini-like talent for dissolving difficulties that most Italians secretly admire, even as they throw up their hands in horror.

POCKET Berlusconi is one of the richest men in Italy: £6 billion, maybe more, who knows? But that's not really the point. Point is, he's rich, and Italians like rich. They respect rich. In fact, they'd really like to be it themselves again, maybe someday soon. Perhaps the electorate are hoping that if the man can't actually fix Italy's ailing economy, he might at least be able to buy them a nice new one.

PROWESS It's not his fault, the man can't help it. Berlusconi's business acumen is matched only by his appetite for feminine charms. Already he is lining up a cast of lovely ladies to serve in his new Government, including Mara Carfagna, a former model, television presenter and Miss Italy contestant.


Berlusconi quotes
"Work, work, work - I am almost German"
"I am the Jesus Christ of politics. I am a patient victim, I put up with everyone, I sacrifice myself for everyone"
"Another reason to invest in Italy is that we have beautiful secretaries... superb girls"