Berlusconi: I am the best man for the job

PRIME Minister Silvio Berlusconi yesterday dismissed suggestions that he should step down for the good of Italy’s image, saying he was the only person qualified to lead the country now and by far the best in Italian history.

Berlusconi, speaking at his first news conference since Italy’s top court lifted his immunity from prosecution and opened the way for a resumption of corruption trials against him, also said he was the man most persecuted by judges “in the entire history of the world”.

Berlusconi was asked by an American reporter about calls by critics that he step down because his personal and legal problems damage Italy’s image in the world.