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Berlusconi keeps date with the ladies in parliament
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi got more than the attention he bargained for when he passed a flirtatious note to two young female politicians during a parliamentary session.
- By Malcolm Moore, Telegraph Group
- Published: 00:38 May 16, 2008
Rome: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi got more than the attention he bargained for when he passed a flirtatious note to two young female politicians during a parliamentary session.
Even though the 71-year-old was busy making his first speech to parliament ahead of a vital vote of confidence, his attention did not waver from the two attractive newcomers sitting on the other side of the chamber.
Dark-haired Nunzia De Girolamo, 32, and blonde Gabriella Giammanco, 31, were elected for the first time last month. Berlusconi was determined to send them his regards, but unfortunately his affectionate note was captured by television cameras.
"Gabri, Nunzia, you look very good sitting there together," he wrote. "Thank you for sticking around [to listen to my speech] but it is not necessary. If you have any gallants who have invited you to lunch, I authorise you to go [underlined three times]. Many kisses to both of you!!! Your Prime Minister."
To Berlusconi's delight, the ladies quickly drafted a response, folded it in half and passed it back to him. "Our dear Prime Minister, we can only accept gallant invitations from you!" it said. The premier could not suppress a smile.
Nevertheless, the women were quick to rebuff any suggestions of a flirtation. "He was not trying it on at all!" said Giammanco.
De Girolamo said she had felt a "thrill" from getting a note from the former cruise-ship crooner, and was "not embarrassed in the least".
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