The Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi about judges & songs

BERLUSCONI: TO BE A JUDGE YOU HAVE TO BE MENTALLY DISTURBED
(AGI) - Rome, Italy, 4 September
To do a judge's job "you have to be mentally disturbed, you have to have psychological problems. If they do that work it is because they are anthropologically different from the rest of humanity." Thus stated Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, in an interview given to Boris Johnson, editor of 'The Spectator' and Nicholas Farrell, editorial writer of 'The Voice of Rimini', commenting on the question of whether Andreotti should be considered a 'Mafioso'.
The interview was published today and was given by the Prime Minister to the two British journalists in his villa at Porto Rotondo. Speaking in Certosa, on Wednesday 27 August, Berlusconi replied to the question of whether Andreotti was a Mafioso: "But no, but no... Andreotti is too intelligent. Look, Andreotti is not my friend. He is on the left. It is a lie to show that the Christian Democrats, for years our most important party is not ethical, but is a party close to the criminal world. But it is not true. It is crazy." And, the Prime Minister added, "these judges are doubly mad. Firstly, politically and secondly they are just mad. To to that job you have to be mentally disturbed, you have to have psychological problems. If they do that job it is because they are anthropologically diverse from the rest of the human race." (AGI)

Berlusconi's latest hits
An album containing love ballads written by Italian President Silvio Berlusconi will be available in shops from October, according to the Italian daily Libero.

Mr Berlusconi, who no doubt has a busy schedule as President of Italy, current President of the European Council and billionaire businessman, has found time to pen seven new songs that will appear on an album by Mariano Apicella, an Italian guitarist.

Mr Berlusconi is well known for his musical talents. He paid his way through law school by singing on cruise ships. He even once serenaded Russian President Vladimir Putin during talks.

The UK broadsheet the Independent reported last month that Mr Berlusconi was devoting his holiday mornings to writing music. This latest album appears to be the fruits of that work.

The album will be called "better with a song" and may feature songs such as "E io penso sempre a te" - "And I always think of you", which Mr Berlusconi was composing during his summer break.

Mr Berlusconi is not the only major EU leader to dabble in music. UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair is a keen guitar player and Mr Berlusconi has said that he would love to be accompanied by Mr Blair on the guitar.


Mr Berlusconi says he would love to be accompanied by Mr Blair on the guitar (Photo: Governo Italiano)

German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder - or rather a satirical imitator of Mr Schröder - also hit the top of the German charts recently. Elmar Brandt, who impersonates Mr Schröder, had a hit record with his "tax song".

Press Articles: Deutsche Welle Reuters
04.09.2003 - 13:27 CET