Berlusconi attempts to rehabilitate Italy image
Premier Silvio Berlusconi launched a new tourism campaign for Italy on Wednesday in hopes of rehabilitating the country’s image which he said had suffered from his recent personal scandals.
Berlusconi said Italy’s reputation abroad had first been damaged by a garbage crisis in Naples last year that saw tons of trash pile up on city streets. Its image has been further tarnished by what he said was a campaign against him in recent weeks "fueled by hatred and personal envy."
Three women have told Italian newspapers they were recruited to attend parties at Berlusconi’s residences and two, including a high-end prostitute, said they were paid €1,000 ($1,400) to attend. Berlusconi has also faced suggestions he had an improper relationship with an 18-year-old model.
Berlusconi has denied he ever paid any woman for sex and has said there was nothing improper with his relationship with 18-year-old Noemi Letizia, saying she was the daughter of a friend from political circles.
The premier’s wife cited the 72-year-old Berlusconi’s presence at Letizia’s birthday party in announcing a few weeks ago she was divorcing him.
Berlusconi launched the "Magic Italy" tourism campaign saying he wanted to relaunch the Italian tourism industry and lift Italy up from the "tragic images" of garbage in Naples and the campaign against him "which certainly hasn’t done any good to the country."
Source: AP
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