Ah, Silvio Berlusconi.
The media tycoon who can’t stay away from Italian politics. Third longest serving Italian prime minister.
controversial, for sure.
But the man does know how to surround himself with good looking women.

First, take his wife - Italian actress Veronica Lario. Formerly known as Miriam Bartolini, you may remember her as the chick who got her hand chopped off in Dario Argento’s Tenebre.

Oh, you don’t know that one? Well, how about a more recent photo of this hottie:

Veronica hasn’t been too happy with her hubby in the recent past. In February of 2007, she forced him to make a public apology for saying to two women MPs (from his Forza Italia party) “if I wasn’t already married I would marry you right away” (he said that to Micaela Biancofiore and Marfa Carfagna - a former topless model), and “with you I’d go anywhere, even a desert island.” (that last bit was directed to Venezuelan-born TV star Aida Yespica.)

Mara Carfagna - Italian Hottie nicknamed “Mara La Bella”

Micaela Biancofiore

Aida Yespica - Scusi, which desert island did you say?

Silvio’s Apology, which is just weird:

“Here I am, saying I’m sorry. I was recalcitrant in private, because I am playful but proud too. Challenged in public, the temptation to give in to you is strong. I can’t resist,” said Mr Berlusconi, a media tycoon.
“So, I beg you, forgive me and accept this public display of a private pride that gives in to your rage as an act of love — just one of many.”

Other fun stuff from Silvio includes in 2002 saying that Denmark’s Prime Minister is “so good looking, I’m even thinking of introducing him to my wife.” In 2005, in regards to persuading Finland’s female president to make Italy the site of an EU agency, he said “I had to use all my playboy tactics, even if they have not been used for some time.”

By the way, the beautiful Mara Carfagna is now Berlusconi’s Minister for Equal Opportunity:

Scuzi, do I get an opportunity?

We like how Silvio gives women a chance in his cabinet. Who else is in the prime minister’s fourth cabinet? How about:

Mariastella Gelmini, Minister of Education:

Giorgia Meloni, Minister of Youth:

Stefania Prestigiacomo, Minister of the Environment:

Michela Brambilla, nominated undersecretary (Tourism):

Brambilla, heir of a family of steel manufacturers, is commonly described as a possible successor to Silvio Berlusconi for leadership of the Italian right.

It’s not just on Silvio’s cabinet either - check out Fiorella Rubino Ceccacci from Italy’s Chamber of Deputies:

They say she worked with Tinto Brass but we have been unable to confirm this.

Anyway, we like Italian politics. You can have that McCain/Obama stuff.