The woman once rumoured to be the Italian leader's mistress has turned against him, saying he has no real powerWHEN Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister, broadcast a statement on pension reform in 2003 the announcer who introduced him on television caught his eye. He sent Virginia Sanjust di Teulada a huge bunch of roses and gardenias, invited her to lunch at his office and then presented her with a diamond bracelet. Over the months that followed, they met often and he showered her with diamonds and cash. Speaking for the first time last week, Sanjust, 32, described the devastating consequences of her "platonic love" for Berlusconi, 72, and the scandal it created. She said he had been consumed by the power his £4 billion fortune bestowed and should give up the relationships with young women which have ensured that his private life is high on the political agenda as Italians vote in European and local elections this weekend.
WHEN Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister, broadcast a statement on pension reform in 2003 the announcer who introduced him on television caught his eye.
He sent Virginia Sanjust di Teulada a huge bunch of roses and gardenias, invited her to lunch at his office and then presented her with a diamond bracelet. Over the months that followed, they met often and he showered her with diamonds and cash.
Speaking for the first time last week, Sanjust, 32, described the devastating consequences of her "platonic love" for Berlusconi, 72, and the scandal it created. She said he had been consumed by the power his £4 billion fortune bestowed and should give up the relationships with young women which have ensured that his private life is high on the political agenda as Italians vote in European and local elections this weekend.
With terracotta villas heaving with hibiscus and yachts moored on an emerald-streaked sea, Sardinia shares all the exclusivity of Monaco or Nice but without the vulgarity. If the surrounding marinas are a masterclass in discretion then Villa Certosa is reputed to be an exercise in extravagance. Doubters need only consider the artificial volcano and the construction of Mr Berlusconi's own amphitheatre. Among regular guests is Vladimir Putin, who travelled to Sardinia for talks with Mr Berlusconi in April last year, only two weeks before he stood down as President. Mr Berlusconi told reporters after the meeting that he had entertained the Russian leader with a troupe of dancing girls from Rome known as "Il Bagaglino". He said he was repaying a debt after Mr Putin entertained him with a performance by Russian girls of the Dance of the Veils during a visit to St Petersburg the previous year.
With terracotta villas heaving with hibiscus and yachts moored on an emerald-streaked sea, Sardinia shares all the exclusivity of Monaco or Nice but without the vulgarity. If the surrounding marinas are a masterclass in discretion then Villa Certosa is reputed to be an exercise in extravagance. Doubters need only consider the artificial volcano and the construction of Mr Berlusconi's own amphitheatre.
Among regular guests is Vladimir Putin, who travelled to Sardinia for talks with Mr Berlusconi in April last year, only two weeks before he stood down as President.
Mr Berlusconi told reporters after the meeting that he had entertained the Russian leader with a troupe of dancing girls from Rome known as "Il Bagaglino". He said he was repaying a debt after Mr Putin entertained him with a performance by Russian girls of the Dance of the Veils during a visit to St Petersburg the previous year.
The photo shows two soldiers together immediately sequencing a photo published by El Pais. Reminds me of Berlusconi's quip that all Italian women should have a soldier to look over them- sorry, after them.
