Gerardo D’Ambrosio, a centre-left senator who spent decades as a judge before entering politics, was blunter: “Parliament has become a farce.”
How farcical became clear early in the new session, when a photographer with a telephoto lens captured the text of a note from Berlusconi to two female deputies, Gabriella Giammanco and Nunzia De Girolamo: “Gabri, Nunzia, you look great together! Thanks for staying here, but it’s not necessary. If you have some romantic appointment at lunchtime, I authorise you to leave! Many kisses to both of you!!! ‘Your’ president.” The beginning of their response was also caught: “Dear (President), we accept romantic appointments only from you.”
Five years ago, Berlusconi saw a pretty news reader, Virginia Sanjust di Teulada, deliver a report about one of his economic decrees. The next day he sent her flowers with a note of congratulations. She replied with a thank-you note that included her mobile number. The next thing she knew, he was on the line, inviting her to lunch at the ministerial palace. She accepted. After lunch, according to an account by her ex-husband, Federico Armati, Berlusconi allegedly gave her a diamond bracelet and offered her a 2 1/4-month consultancy at the prime minister’s office, which paid about $50,000. This was done with a formal ministerial decree, which was withdrawn when the press heard about it. But Sanjust subsequently got her own TV show on RAI, and her ex-husband, who worked for the intelligence services, got a desirable transfer; then, after he and his ex-wife became embroiled in a custody battle, Armati was demoted.
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