Berlusconi storms off set after row with TV presenter

Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi stormed off the set of a state TV show today, branding the journalist interviewing him as a leftist, two days before a planned debate between the conservative leader and election challenger Romano Prodi.

“I’m getting up and leaving if you don’t let me answer. Is that clear?” the premier and media magnate said curtly when the programme’s host, Lucia Annunziata, insisted he answer he questions.

Annunziata, a long-time Berlusconi foe, resigned in 2004 as the head of state broadcaster RAI, alleging that forces loyal to Berlusconi’s government were trying to control the broadcaster. Berlusconi’s three Mediaset networks are the main private TV rivals to RAI’s three channels.

Annunziata now conducts a 30-minute newsmaker interview programme on RAI called “In a half-hour.” But on today, Berlusconi walked out after 20 minutes.

When Berlusconi warned that he would leave if Annunziata demanded answers, she said: “I ask you not to go,” and told the premier, “you can’t dictate the rules.”

His response: “I go if you don’t let me answer. You can’t tell me what to do. I don’t decide for you, you don’t decide for me.”

After more bickering, Berlusconi stood up from his chair, reached over to shake Annunziata’s hand and said: “All right. Goodbye, ma’am.”

He told Annunziata she had given a fine example of being a person “who has prejudices and is on the left,” and added “you should be a little bit ashamed.”

On Tuesday, Berlusconi and Prodi are set to debate one another on RAI, and will square off a second time April 3, just before the April 9-10 vote.

Berlusconi on Saturday complained about the debate rules, calling them a “shame” for allowing journalists only 30 seconds to ask questions and requiring the leaders to finish their replies within three minutes.

Prodi’s spokesman Silvio Sircana told SKY TG24 that “the important thing is he (Berlusconi) doesn’t walk off the set Tuesday evening.”

The debates could affect the election results. Recent polls have given Prodi’s centre-left coalition a small edge over the centre-right incumbents, but also indicate there is a slice of undecided voters.

The premier in recent weeks has made a slew of appearances on talk shows on both his networks and those of state TV.