Has Italy finally grown tired of Silvio Berlusconi's sexism?

After years of Silvio Berlusconi making sexist jokes and confusing the worlds of politics, television and showbusiness by surrounding himself with showgirls, perhaps the worm has turned. Italy is a country where feminism and political correctness have made few inroads. Two years ago Veronica Lario, Mr Berlusconi’s estranged wife, demanded a public apology after he told Mara Carfagna, a former topless model, that he would “marry her like a shot” if he were not already married. He apologised — then last year made Ms Carfagna the country’s Equal Opportunities Minister. Mr Berlusconi has been elected three times, and Italians are perfectly aware of his attitudes. He once told American businessmen to invest in Italy because “we have the most beautiful secretaries, stupendous girls”. He jokes about his wife’s allegations that he “frequents minors”, signing autographs for young women with the jocular remark: “I hope you are over 18.” If a female revolt has begun he probably has his lawyer, Niccolo Ghedini, to thank. Mr Ghedini appalled many Italians — men and women — by remarking that even if the Prime Minister had spent the night with an “escort girl” at his Roman palazzo on US election night last November, as alleged, it was not a crime because he was “only the end user”. Mr Ghedini added: “To think that Berlusconi needs to pay girls €2,000 so they will sleep with him seems to me too much. He could have an enormous number of women for free. Berlusconi has great respect for women and would not dream of paying one to have sex with him.” Respect? Not for those who have begun a belated and brave attempt to reverse Italy’s macho culture.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6558180.ece