Silvio Berlusconi to use attack photos in campaign

Published on Tuesday 29 December 2009 20:52

ITALIAN prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is to launch an advertising campaign for his People of Freedom Party using posters showing his battered face.

The 73-year-old premier suffered a fractured nose, two broken teeth and severe cuts to his gums and lips after he was hit in the face by a souvenir statue of Milan Cathedral after a rally earlier this month.

The media tycoon wants to recruit one million new members for his party and the campaign will involve thousands of billboards with the slogan: "Love always wins over hate."

Observers claim being hit by the statue, thrown by Massimo Tartaglia, 42, who has a history of mental problems, has brought Mr Berlusconi a wave of sympathy.

In the spring Italy faces regional elections and, in a letter to party workers, Mr Berlusconi said: "I am back at work for the good of the country. Many things need to be done to change our Italy for the better."

According to a poll by IPR Marketing, Berlusconi's popularity rose from 45 per cent to 48 per cent following the attack which is the highest for a European leader but still far below his peak of 62 per cent in October 2008.

Mr Berlusconi has not been seen since he left hospital on 17 December after spending four days in hospital following the attack in Milan and he said he would make his first public appearance on 7 January. There has been speculation he intends to have plastic surgery to clear up scars from the attack and yesterday his spokesman said: "He's in fine form and just needs to get a few things fixed after the attack."

Meanwhile it also emerged yesterday Mr Berlusconi had lost a bet with close friend Russian president Vladimir Putin over the start date of a car production plant in Vladivostok. While visiting the Siberian factory, which builds the UAV Patriot, Mr Putin told workers he had made a wager with Mr Berlusconi the factory would be able to start production before the end of the year.

Mr Berlusconi was so convinced the Siberian plant would take longer, that he agreed to buy its first model if it came off the assembly line by New Year's Day.

Mr Putin said the car was on the lot and ready to drive by early December. He said while the Italian premier had graciously conceded defeat, ''he immediately asked for a discount''.

ITALIAN TAX AMNESTY RAKES IN 95 BILLION

A TAX amnesty by the Italian government has resulted in a staggering 95 billion (85.8bn) in hidden assets being declared, treasury officials announced yesterday.

The figure, the equivalent of 6 per cent of Italy's GDP, easily surpassed the forecast of 80bn by finance minister Giulio Tremonti and sources say a further 30bn could return.

Known as the scudo fiscale, or tax shield, the amnesty allows Italians a chance to legalise their hidden assets and accounts without having to pay back taxes, only a one-off 5 per cent penalty fee on their value.

The controversial initiative by prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's government also shields people from prosecution for related crimes like accounting fraud and illegally exporting capital.

Officials said the figure was calculated as of December 15 and the hope is that the assets will give a boost to the national economy, which has only recently begun to recover from the recession.

The repatriated 95bn will provide almost 5bn for the government.