Silvio’s teflon touch wearing thin

Victor L Simpson in Rome says the ‘Ruby’ scandal may prove to be the final straw for the Italian public

Is this time different? Silvio Berlusconi has survived prostitution scandals, howling gaffes, and seamy courtroom dramas – only to bounce back with a billion-dollar grin on his face.

Italians have taken to shrugging away their leader’s misbehaviour as the foibles of a man accustomed to “la dolce vita” – the sweet life that they themselves aspire to.