Giada Zampano, The Telegraph
Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has appeared to confirm he is in a new relationship with a much-younger woman, shortly after agreeing to a multi-million-euro settlement with his much-younger ex-girlfriend.
Marta Fascina, 30, was photographed holding hands with Mr Berlusconi, 83, at his luxurious Villa Certosa in Sardinia, as they were about to board a yacht belonging to Mr Berlusconi’s long-time friend Ennio Doris.
The four-time premier and media magnate, who has dominated Italian politics for more than 20 years, split in March from his partner of 12 years, Francesca Pascale, 35.
The pictures were first published by Italian tabloid “Chi,” owned by the Berlusconi family, which has been taken as confirmation of the relationship.
According to reports in Italian media, the relationship was consolidated during quarantine and they have already moved in together to Mr Berlusconi’s residence.
Ms Fascina, a former journalist and press officer for Mr Berlusconi’s soccer club AC Milan, has been a member of the Italian parliament’s lower house since 2018 in Mr Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party.
Pundits in Italian media were amused by the photographs, which were plastered across front pages on Wednesday, joking about the “resilience” of the former premier and his passion for younger women.
Others noted the striking resemblance between Ms Fascina and the pop star Lady Gaga, joking about her flamboyant dress.
The break up with Ms Pascale will be expensive for Mr Berlusconi, who has agreed to give his former partner a villa bought for her a few kilometres from his Arcore residence, near Milan.
Ms Pascale will also receive a €20 million one-off payment following the break-up and an annual allowance of €1 million. However, he kept their pet poodle, Dudu.
As Italy battles against the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 35,200 in Italy, the political leader known around the world for his “bunga-bunga” sex parties is back in the political fold.
Despite hovering at just 7 per cent in the polls, Mr Berlusconi’s struggling Forza Italia party could prove key support to the government in case its fragile coalition splits over key policies.
The coalition government headed by Giuseppe Conte, the prime minister, faces tough political choices this autumn as the heavy fallout from the pandemic has brought the Italian economy to its knees.
