Berlusconi’s use of vulgar word causes outrage

ITALIAN Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s use of a vulgar word to denigrate his adversaries and his vow to eliminate property taxes raised the heat of campaigning yesterday, just five days ahead of a general election.

Mr Berlusconi, during an address to a shopkeepers’ group, branded centre-left voters “coglioni”.

The Italian word is slang for “testicles” but is commonly used as a vulgar insult to describe someone of little intelligence.