Published: July 10 2009
Silvio Berlusconi’s gamble to host the G8 summit appears to have paid off. From scandal-plagued playboy to international statesman: after three days of presiding over the international gathering Mr Berlusconi has silenced his critics and soothed his allies, at least for the moment.For the 72-year-old billionaire prime minister, the three-day summit of 40 heads of government and international organisations concluding on Friday was as much a success for what did not happen.Aides were clearly relieved that none of their worst fears materialised – no aftershocks from the April 6 earthquake disturbed proceedings; no prosecutors announced investigations into well-publicised allegations that prostitutes were procured last year for his lavish parties; and no reporter, Italian or otherwise, had the temerity to ask Mr Berlusconi about his personal life. Angela Merkel, the German chancellor well accustomed to Mr Berlusconi’s pranks – he once played peek-a-boo from behind a pillar – greeted him with a kiss. Gordon Brown gave a big hug and Barack Obama was gracious in his praise for the organisation.By playing up the spartan nature of the accommodation in the finance ministry police college, expectations were lowered and no one complained. The people of L’Aquila – more than 60,000 have lost their homes and 22,000 are in tents – were flattered to be the centre of world attention.European diplomats did moan that Mr Berlusconi had been “incredibly late” for some meetings, leaving the punctilious German chancellor “steaming” over poor time-keeping.The summit was “reasonably well-organised”, one diplomat said.“ The accommodation and the food were modest and that was exactly the right thing.” After weeks of salacious reports (all denied by Mr Berlusconi) about his friendship with an 18-year-old would-be model and accounts by call girls of party and bedroom antics, the media mogul’s outlets were also exultant.“ The summit results are extremely positive. I have received compliments from all participants and some have told me it has been the best G8 they joined,” the prime minister said on Friday. Yet senior diplomats remain concerned, on security grounds, about trusting a head of government who allegedly has entertained call girls, some reported to be east European. Mr Berlusconi said he believed one woman, whom he said he did not know was an escort, had been paid to set him up.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009
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