The secret tapes made by former escort Patrizia D'Addario allegedly feature the voice of Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi - referred to in the transcripts as "SB." The voice sounds very much like the man himself.
The Italian PM doesn't deny that Ms D'Addario visited his official residence. However he claims he 'can't remember her' and denies paying for sex because in his words paying for it 'does not involve the thrill of conquest.'
The earlier tape that was posted on L'Espresso made mention of 'the big bed' where Ms D'Addario was instructed by Berlusconi to await his emergence from the shower.
The latest tape posted on L'Espresso was allegedly made while the two were having sex. It includes references to the PM's staying power and female masturbation.
Ms D'Addario (PD) appears to be impressed with SB's performance and tells him: “You know how long it has been since I had sex like I had with you tonight ... It’s several months, since I broke up with my boyfriend ... Is this normal?”
PD: A young man would have come in a second.. I mean he would have come... Young men usually have a lot of pressure.
SB: But if you will you allow me... (muffled) I believe it is a family thing.
PD: What?
SB: Having an orgasm.
How exactly is having an orgasm a "family thing"? Presumably SB is referring to inherited biological factors rather than family getaways at the cottage.
PD: You know how long it has been since I had sex like I had with you tonight. It’s several months, since I broke with my boyfriend. Is this normal?
SB: May I? You should have sex with yourself. You should touch yourself often.
It would seem SB has a particular fascination with female self-pleasuring and female-on-female encounters. The recommendation that PD "touch herself" more often, follows upon a comment in the earlier tape. We learned that SB was interested in watching while PD "licked" another woman.
Politicians who have unconventional sex lives take trouble to ensure that it doesn't spill over into the political sphere. By contrast Berlusconi has turned his sex life into a circus of the reality show variety by blurring the boundaries between his public life and his erotic adventures. As Dario Franceschini, leader of the Democratic Party, puts it - "He [Berlusconi] now remains a prisoner of the same reality show."
Also the nature of the sex is bound to influence public perceptions. We're not talking about a couple of discreet affairs. PD has referred to "harems" of young women at the parties. We have also heard about envelopes stuffed with cash and gifts of jewelry. Judging from the accounts, the PM has a seemingly insatiable need to be the focus-of-attention of young women as he croons, shows photos of himself, hands out envelopes and presents himself as the irresistible elder lothario.
Berlusconi is a narcissist with a pronounced exhibitionist streak. Part of the thrill he gets from playing around is having the world in on it - while of course denying all, or most of it.
He has a small man complex. His critics sometimes sarcastically describe him as 'a dwarf.' On one occasion he dismissed the dwarf dig by pointing out that he is taller than both Putin and Sarkozy. Such things matter to him.
Politicians who have unconventional sex lives take trouble to ensure that it doesn't spill over into the political sphere. By contrast Berlusconi has turned his sex life into a circus of the reality show variety by blurring the boundaries between his public life and his erotic adventures. As Dario Franceschini, leader of the Democratic Party, puts it - "He [Berlusconi] now remains a prisoner of the same reality show."
Also the nature of the sex is bound to influence public perceptions. We're not talking about a couple of discreet affairs. PD has referred to "harems" of young women at the parties. We have also heard about envelopes stuffed with cash and gifts of jewelry. Judging from the accounts, the PM has a seemingly insatiable need to be the focus-of-attention of young women as he croons, shows photos of himself, hands out envelopes and presents himself as the irresistible elder lothario.
Berlusconi is a narcissist with a pronounced exhibitionist streak. Part of the thrill he gets from playing around is having the world in on it - while of course denying all, or most of it.
He has a small man complex. His critics sometimes sarcastically describe him as 'a dwarf.' On one occasion he dismissed the dwarf dig by pointing out that he is taller than both Putin and Sarkozy. Such things matter to him.
Given his teflon-like ability to ward off attacks and maintain his popularity it seems unlikely that sex revelations are enough to deal a fatal blow. He would have to be apprehended wearing only a raincoat and flippers, flashing nuns on the Via del Corso ... and even then.
Curiously enough it isn't the sex talk on the tapes that has stoked outrage, but a statement made by SB when he was showing Patrizia D'Addario around his estate in Sardinia.
SB says that: "Underneath here, we found 30 Phoenician tombs from 300BC."
Local officials in Olbia know nothing about the tombs, nor does the Italian National Association of Archaeologists. Failure to report an archaeological find in Italy is a serious offence, punishable by up to 12 months in prison. Members of the opposition Democratic Party tabled questions in parliament demanding an explanation from Berlusconi and his heritage minister.
It would be kind of ironic if dead Phoenicians rather than live escorts prove to be the most damaging.
Guardian article on new tapes - here.
