Berlusconi Demands Apology From Wife

Silvio Berlusconi is demanding an apology from his wife for her public complaints over the PM’s appreciation of young women, the Times of London reports. Berlusconi alleged that Veronica Lario had been “put up” to discredit him before June elections by his political enemies. Berlusconi said this marriage could probably not be saved, and added: “I don’t know if I want to save it this time."

Lario had told reporters last week while preparing divorce proceedings that she couldn’t live with a man who “surrounds himself with minors,” alluding to Berlusconi’s recent attendance at an 18-year-old’s birthday party and a splashy gathering of prospective European MPs—who all happened to be young models and actresses. Nonetheless, the PM holds the approval of 56% of Italians, having gained a boost in popularity for his handling of the Abruzzo earthquake.