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Italian politics
Former Italian PM begs wife's forgiveness
Last Updated: Thursday, February 1, 2007 | 9:04 AM ET
CBC News
The way to an Italian politician's heart is through a newspaper that has been a persistent critic of the man.
That's the route that Veronica Lario took in sending her husband, former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, a message about his wandering eye.
It started last Friday when Berlusconi, a very rich 70-year-old media executive, made flirtatious comments to women at a party after a TV awards show.
"If I weren't married, I would marry you immediately," he reportedly told Mara Carfagna, an Italian TV actor and MP for Berlusconi's right-wing Forza Italia party.
He told another woman, "with you, I'd go anywhere."
Lario, 50, wrote a letter to the left-leaning La Repubblica newspaper on Wednesday, saying his comments offended her dignity. "To both my husband and the public man, I therefore demand a public apology since I haven't received any privately."
By late Wednesday, Berlusconi had replied, in public. "Forgive me, I beg you. And take this public show of my private pride giving in to your fury as an act of love. One of many."
Former Italian PM begs wife's forgiveness
Last Updated: Thursday, February 1, 2007 | 9:04 AM ET
CBC News
The way to an Italian politician's heart is through a newspaper that has been a persistent critic of the man.
That's the route that Veronica Lario took in sending her husband, former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, a message about his wandering eye.
It started last Friday when Berlusconi, a very rich 70-year-old media executive, made flirtatious comments to women at a party after a TV awards show.
"If I weren't married, I would marry you immediately," he reportedly told Mara Carfagna, an Italian TV actor and MP for Berlusconi's right-wing Forza Italia party.
He told another woman, "with you, I'd go anywhere."
Lario, 50, wrote a letter to the left-leaning La Repubblica newspaper on Wednesday, saying his comments offended her dignity. "To both my husband and the public man, I therefore demand a public apology since I haven't received any privately."
By late Wednesday, Berlusconi had replied, in public. "Forgive me, I beg you. And take this public show of my private pride giving in to your fury as an act of love. One of many."