Quote:

The 74-year-old ordered the specially made £1,193 rings from a designer jeweller and they were given to female politicians as part of his annual Christmas gift. In all 24 women MPs from the lower house and 13 senators from the upper house were given the Italian "tricolour" rings which were made of three bands of white, yellow and pink gold studded with tiny diamonds. The rings were made by jeweller Recarlo, who are based at Valenza near Alessandria in northern Italy, an area known for its upmarket gem dealerships. On it's website Recarlo says of itself: "Pure passion - Recarlo has always chosen the best quality diamonds.'' The firm's chairman Carlo Re, who has run the family business for 40 years, was unavailable for comment on Friday but a member of staff said: "This was a special gift chosen by the Prime Minister of Italy. "We are not making any comment on it as it was a private purchase." Mr Berlusconi is known for his genorosity and each year he gives MPs from his People of Freedom party Christmas gifts but it's not just limited to Italian politicians. He has also given expensive watches as presents to world leaders including Tony Blair who received no fewer than nine during his time at Number Ten. Last month it was claimed that Mr Berlusconi had also given €7,000 and a diamond necklace to belly dancer Karima El Mahroug after she attended one of his parties while just 17 years old. Alessandra Mussolini, the grand daughter of Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, who was given one of the rings said: "It's a beautiful gift and the other female MPs and myself are very grateful. "It's a three band ring made of yellow, white and pink gold and has little diamonds in the bands. It's a very generous gift but the prime minister is always very generous. "Last Christmas he gave the women MPs with the party diamond studded crucifixes and he also gives the male MPs gift as well but I don't think they have received them this year yet." Last week Mr Berlusconi was accused of buying up opposition votes in a crucial no confidence test which he won by just three votes. The victory led to rioting in Rome with more than £15 million of damage caused as demonstrators tore up cobble stones in the famous Via Del Corso shopping street and Piazza Del Popolo to use as missiles. Prosecutors have opened an investigation into the claims of vote-buying after an official complaint from Antonio Di Pietro leader of anti sleaze party Italy of Values. Massimo Donadi, a senator with Italy of Values, said:’’This is a gesture of very poor taste given the current economic climate Italy is in with many people facing an uncertain future and the prospect of losing their jobs. '’To give rings of this value as gifts to all these MPs will be very offensive to many Italians as these MPs already have a privileged life and have no need for expensive presents.”

Pretty tacky, all the same. But I guess you don't become an MP in Berlusconi's party because you've got an elevated sense of your own dignity.

There's a great quote from some medieval diarist or other talking about a Pope who bribed his way to the top, "following his election he gave away his worldly goods to the poor..."

Silvio Berlusconi buys 37 rings for his leading ladies - Telegraph

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