Berlusconi ‘hysteria’ dismissed as election gimmick

HYSTERICAL and tearful messages from Italians imploring Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to persevere after being attacked last year fill a new book that hits stores just as campaigning for regional elections steps up.

Published by the Mondadori company that Berlusconi owns, Love always wins over envy and hatred, collates some of the 50,000 messages of support that poured in after a mentally unstable man smashed a small statue into the premier’s face at a rally in December, breaking his teeth and nose.

Berlusconi, who has been embroiled in sex scandals and a fight with the judiciary, saw his popularity rise just after the attack. But corruption scandals and bungling over ballot lists for regional polls have prompted a slide in ratings recently.