Rome:
The Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi again raised eyebrows at a political youth rally over the weekend by saying that women should follow money when looking for a partner.
Berlusconi, who was embroiled in a sex scandal last year and is known for his public blunders, also caused some outrage with a joke about Adolf Hitler's followers urging him to return to power.
The billionaire businessman appeared at a convention on Sunday of the youth wing of his People of Freedom party.
When questioned by Italian Youth Minister, Giorgia Meloni, he joked about marriages of convenience.
"Women are lining up to marry me, because I'm a nice guy, because I'm loaded, because I know how to deal with women," he added.
He also mentioned a heavily-criticised television interview he once gave when he encouraged a lady to look for a wealthy boyfriend.
He also claimed during his speech on Sunday that women favour older men saying that "he's old. He dies and I inherit."
The 73-year-old was engulfed in a sex scandal last year centering on his purported relationships with young women, including an escort.
Berlusconi's wife Veronica Lario said last year she was seeking a divorce. They are now separated.
The media baron has said he is "no saint" but denied ever paying for sex.
In Italy, a divorce can only be sought after three years of separation.
Media reports this summer suggested that Berlusconi's wife has rejected his early proposals for a financial settlement.
Berlusconi often gets criticised for his earthy sense of humour, and this time an opposition politician demanded he apologise to Italy's Jewish community for his Hitler joke.
Before telling it, he predicted he would be criticised for the remarks.
Berlusconi, who claims prosecutors have led corruption investigations against him because they are left-wing, also appeared to be poking fun at himself when commenting on the loss of his AC Milan soccer team on Saturday.
He contended the referee robbed the team of three goals and that Milan often gets leftist referees.
Berlusconi also briefly mentioned the recent split with longtime ally Gianfranco Fini last month saying he did not believe that any of his party members that have aligned themselves with Fini would "betray the will of the majority of Italian voters who elected us."
Fini, currently serving as speaker of the lower house, had been an ally since Berlusconi's entry into politics 16 years ago and is the co-founder of the People of Freedom party.
The two had bickered for months on a number of issues, most notably morality in politics in the wake of scandals hitting coalition members.
The split potentially deprived Berlusconi of his once-solid parliamentary majority, leaving the fate of his government uncertain.
Fini has pledged support for the government but also warned it would not be unconditional.
Speaking on Monday, James Waltson, Professor of International Policy at the American University of Rome, said due to current economic situation many Italians have became tired of Berlusconi's controversial jokes.
"But now things are serious, economically serious, and lot of the people who are his natural supporters are out of work or their business are closing. He is in trouble. His approval rating are going down to 37 per cent," added Waltson.