Sex scandal hurts Berlusconi but party support up

THE latest scandal surrounding Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has damaged his public image but support for his party has risen, meaning he would likely win an early election, a respected pollster said yesterday.

Presenting the findings of his latest ISPO survey for Corriere della Sera daily, Renato Mannheimer said while half of those interviewed thought Berlusconi should resign, support for his centre-right party had increased.

The poll was conducted after Milan prosecutors alleged Berlusconi paid for sex with a “significant” number of prostitutes, including a 17-year old nightclub dancer.

The 74-year-old prime minister denies any wrongdoing and says he has never paid for sex.

With Italian media full of details of the parties that prosecutors allege took place at Berlusconi’s homes, Mannheimer said the scandal appeared to hurt the premier’s public image, but not his party’s electoral appeal.

“This apparently contradictory survey shows how polarised and disoriented Italians are,” the pollster said.

“It means that even some centre-right voters who have grown critical of him because of the latest scandal, see no credible alternative in the opposition,” he said.

Nearly 50% said Berlusconi should step down, up 8% from a year ago and compared to 45% who thought otherwise.

But voter intentions for his People of Freedom party rose to 30.2% from 27.6% in December, cementing its rank as Italy’s biggest political force and indicating Berlusconi would win an early election.

Italy’s electoral system gives power to the largest party or coalition regardless of whether it has an absolute majority.