Italians secretly want to be like me, says Berlusconi

Power guy

He denied any strains with the Catholic Church and denounced what he called a “subversive campaign” to unseat a democratically elected leader.

Berlusconi’s comments came a day after the woman who unwillingly initiated the scandal —Noemi Letizia, whose 18-year-old birthday party Berlusconi attended — broke her silence. In a TV interview, Letizia described her relations with the man she calls “Daddy”, and her dreams of Hollywood glory.

“I love America and I would love to work in America,’’ Letizia said.

The 72-year-old billionaire and the young model from a Naples suburb have been the subject of speculation since Berlusconi attended Letizia’s birthday party in April. The premier has said Letizia is the daughter of an old friend and denied having a sexual relationship with her. Letizia said in the interview that she calls Berlusconi “Papi” (daddy) because she has known him since she was a little girl.

In recent months, new allegations have surfaced about the premier’s encounters with younger women, including a call girl who claims to have spent the night with him. Berlusconi has denied ever paying for sex, but said in the summer that he is “no saint”.

“The majority of Italians in their hearts would like to be like me and see themselves in me and in how I behave,” Berlusconi said on Monday during a phone interview on a TV channel he owns.“They also know that Silvio Berlusconi doesn’t steal and doesn’t use his
power to his own advantage,” he said.

To Letizia, the scandal has brought sudden notoriety. She said in the interview that she enjoys being followed by paparazzi and hopes her new fame will help her get acting jobs. “Until today I couldn’t do anything because I wasn’t known. But now I have acquired notoriety and if they call me to work in America, I will absolutely not be afraid,’’ she said.