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Berlusconi: I'm backing Tony Blair as EU president
Nick Pisa, in Rome15 Oct 2009
Silvio Berlusconi has backed his friend and ally Tony Blair for the European Union presidency.
The Italian prime minister, 73, declared his support for Mr Blair in a letter to Right-wing newspaper Il Foglio, which was published on the front page under the headline: "Vote Tony, Vote Tony."
Mr Berlusconi has a long friendship with the former prime minister and invited Mr Blair and his wife Cherie to his Sardinian villa for a holiday five years ago. Mr Berlusconi was photographed wearing a bandanna after having a hair transplant.
In his letter, Mr Berlusconi said Mr Blair had "the right credentials" and should get the job as soon as "legally and politically possible".
"Tony Blair has got everything it needs to become the first president of the European Council. In agreement with many other heads of government, and heads of state, and in co-ordination with the powers of the European Parliament, my government and I will work to ensure we do not lose a great political legacy."
Il Foglio wrote in an editorial: "If Silvio Berlusconi, after all the furious and embarrassing controversies of these past few months, wanted to relaunch his government and give it an international profile, he now has a great opportunity by backing Tony Blair as president of Europe."
Mr Berlusconi has been involved in scandals since April, when it emerged he attended the 18th birthday party of model Noemi Letizia. He has denied allegations that he paid prostitutes to go to parties at his official residences.
Mrs Blair appeared on Italian TV earlier this year, saying her husband went "frantic" when he saw the bandanna.
She said: "Tony said to me, 'Whatever happens make sure I am not photographed next to Silvio wearing a bandanna, make sure you are in the middle otherwise the press will kill us.'"
Reader views (9)
He must be the only person wanting this gurning fool to be there, as I'm sure the majority of this country would rather they see the back of him. He simply does not deserve it, and it shows what a good socialist he is....
- Richard, Surrey, 15/10/2009 20:29
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That photo is just crying out for a caption competition.
My entry would be:
Cherie: "Tony, is that your hand?"
- Kevin T, Beckenham, Kent, 15/10/2009 16:18
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Takes one to know one..................!
I would much rather see them sharing a cell though!
- Mrs, London UK, 15/10/2009 14:56
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El Presidento onwards then World Gov, eat em Obama.
- Bill, Hay~Heath UK, 15/10/2009 14:14
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Yup! - when he was prime minister, the Blairs holidayed often at Berlusconi's. They say a good way of judging people is to look at whose friendships they keep.
Berlusconi and Blair are made for each other. They fit together like glove puppets.
- Andrew, London, 15/10/2009 13:16
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Well critics won't be able to say the prospective EU Fuhrer is unelected will they. He now has one vote and only needs some more from the other 500 million people he will'represent'.
Still one vote is one more than Gordon Clown got in his quest to become PM.
Inconvenient historical fact - even Hitler was democratically elected. see how far we've come in 76 years.
BTW did I fall asleep and miss our EU referendum then?
- Ethan, UK - can I claim Political Asylum in say Canada now?, 15/10/2009 13:09
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One provincial leader hyping a former other provincial leader to be head of the illegitimate new country being shoved down the throats of 400 million. No say of the European people in its creation. Democracy is alive and well in Europe -- NOT.
- Phil Jones, London UK, 15/10/2009 13:06
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Ha ha with friends like that who needs enemies
- Amoreno, Luxembourg, 15/10/2009 12:53
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Birds of a feather.........
- Wallytrader, London, 15/10/2009 11:09
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