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Journalism of Courage
Just when it seemed that nothing could touch him,Silvio Berlusconi faces the biggest obstacle to be put in his way since he returned to the job of Italian prime minister a year ago. It was placed there by his wife,Miriam Bartolini known by her former stage name of Veronica Lario,who on May 3rd let it be known that she wanted a divorce because of Mr Berlusconis behaviour with other women. Ms Lario,his second wife,censured her husband on two counts. She described as shameless trash his reported plan to put up various showgirls as candidates for his party,the People of Freedom,at next month8217;s European election. And she deplored his presence at the 18th-birthday party of an aspiring model and actress,declaring that she could no longer be married to a man who consorts with minors.
Mr Berlusconi claimed that there was a link between his marital crisis and his recent success including a 56 per cent approval rating,despite the recession. He said his wife had been duped by media reports engineered by his opponents 8211; a claim the main opposition leader,Dario Franceschini of the Democratic Party,called 8220;pathetic8221;. But the mutual recrimination between the two leaders was not the only thing to give this otherwise private matter a political dimension.
To a greater extent than any other European leader,moreover,Mr Berlusconi has built his political career on his life and lifestyle. He has forged the image of a virtual Superman,enjoying wealth,power and the love and loyalty of a beautiful wife even as he also enjoyed the company of an endless stream of pretty girls. Ms Lario has shown that,in one area at least,that image is false. And feet of clay do not become him.
The Economist Newspaper Limited 2009
