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Rome:
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been more in the news for his embarrassing gaffes, but this time he may have gone too far.
On live television, the flamboyant leader took a swipe at Opposition leader Rosy Bindi. "You are more beautiful than intelligent," he said.
Fifty eight-year-old Bindi shot back saying, "I am not a woman at your disposal."
Berlusconi had called up in the show after Bindi, a left wing politician, spoke against a judicial decision exempting him from undergoing prosecution.
He now says it was a joke, but Italians are far from amused.
In fact nearly 1,00,000 women have signed a petition expressing their outrage and demanded an apology.
This incident has added to the string of Berlusconi moments that have ensured the Italy's longest serving prime minister a spot in the hall of shame.
Just weeks ago, he repeated his widely criticised comment describing US President Barack Obama as tanned.
In April, he became a sensation on YouTube when his loud behaviour rattled Britain's queen Elizabeth.
Berlusconi, on the other hand, blames the media for showing him in poor light and even causing his divorce from his second wife Veronica Lario who cited his various indiscretions as the reason.
Despite these scandals, the Italian prime minister's popularity has largely remained unaffected until now.
On live television, the flamboyant leader took a swipe at Opposition leader Rosy Bindi. "You are more beautiful than intelligent," he said.
Fifty eight-year-old Bindi shot back saying, "I am not a woman at your disposal."
Berlusconi had called up in the show after Bindi, a left wing politician, spoke against a judicial decision exempting him from undergoing prosecution.
He now says it was a joke, but Italians are far from amused.
In fact nearly 1,00,000 women have signed a petition expressing their outrage and demanded an apology.
This incident has added to the string of Berlusconi moments that have ensured the Italy's longest serving prime minister a spot in the hall of shame.
Just weeks ago, he repeated his widely criticised comment describing US President Barack Obama as tanned.
In April, he became a sensation on YouTube when his loud behaviour rattled Britain's queen Elizabeth.
Berlusconi, on the other hand, blames the media for showing him in poor light and even causing his divorce from his second wife Veronica Lario who cited his various indiscretions as the reason.
Despite these scandals, the Italian prime minister's popularity has largely remained unaffected until now.
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