Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi has made headlines yet again with remarks that it was better to date beautiful women than to be gay. These were made in defence of his lifestyle that many have termed as ‘embarrassing to the country’ as he seems to be particularly partial to beautiful women.

Numerous reports and photos of his womanizing nature at his palatial villa in Milan have captured this partiality.

In fact, Italian citizens, both friend and foe of the Prime Minister are agitating for his resignation. This is in the wake of accusations that Berlusconi interfered in a potentially criminal court case. The case involved a 17-year old beautiful woman, Ruby, who was detained for alleged theft. Berlusconi supposedly told the police in Milan that a party official would take her into custody.

This report appeared in newspapers in May and caused yet another round of uproar in the string of controversies dogging the Prime Minister.

Berlusconi’s recent remarks prompted the President of Arcigay, Paolo Pantane, to write a letter to the Minister of Equal Opportunities, Mara Carfagna, decrying them as an incitement to prejudice. Arcigay is a gay rights group based in Italy. However, the minister responded, saying that the remarks were not meant to offend either any beautiful woman or the homosexuals.

Although there have been widespread calls for Berlusconi’s resignation, he told his supporters that nothing of the sort would happen since his party maintains a strong majority in the government.

He went on to dismiss calls for an early election, saying that that is the last thing a country in an economic crisis needs.
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