Oddly enough lots of Italian people seem to like, even admire him and his theatrics.
I would suggest that his "life" was scripted by Fellini. It appears to be a grotesque Fellini movie.

For a country that elected a porn star to parliament, I don't think the same level of Australia prudishness is applied.

Doesn't surprise me.

>>Oddly enough lots of Italian people seem to like, even admire him and his theatrics.<<

Only ten percent of Italians read a newspaper.

http://www.pressreference.com/Gu-Ku/Italy.html

More than sixty percent haven't read a book in the last year

http://blog.acton.org/archives/2435-can-the-pope-save-the-art-of-reading-in-italy.html

On the other hand, Berlusconi's own media interests cover 90% of the population...

http://www.turnoffyourtv.com/international/italy/italy.html

"Through Fininvest, Berlusconi owns television, radio and newspapers that reach 90% of the Italian populace"

Presumably, the other 10% are the ones who read newspapers.

And, of course, Berlusconi is happy to let those media outlets speak the whole, unvarnished truth, in an impartial and sober manner.

Of course he does.

*a dossier containing statements, reports and wiretap transcripts which are alleged to depict sordid scenes of Berlusconi's affairs with Italian girls.*

Ah, no wonder we lack real talent in politics. Become a politician
and people will peer through your windows, wanting to know the last
detail about your sex life.

If he was simply a business leader, nobody would care. The man
is worth 9 billion and in his 70s, is still enjoying life to the full,
whilst he still can. So what?

!@#$% - what a lucky, lucky, bastard.

Whatever Berlusconi's history, I find the present charges
amusing. Even our law has the same conflict.

Because Berlusconi gave the 17 year old, 10'000$, he
might be deemed a criminal. Yet if he'd sweetalked her
and scored a freebie, that is ok by the law, for
16 is the age of consent in Italy, AFAIK.

Sometimes the law is really an ass, as in this case.