Rome: Unfazed by his ratings at record lows,
scandal-hit Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Thursday
quipped his party should change its name to "Go Pussy!" in the
latest gaffe likely to incense swathes of voters.
"We will change the name of the People of Freedom because
people no longer carry it in their hearts," the 75-year-old
told lawmakers from his ruling coalition in parliament,
Italian news media reported.
"We will examine any suggestions," he added.
Berlusconi then reportedly joked: "I'm told the name that
would have the biggest success is 'Go Pussy!'"
The billionaire tycoon first entered the political arena
in the early 1990s with a party called "Go Italy!" -- a
popular football chant.
"I have to say Berlusconi's latest quip wasn't bad," said
Antonio Borghesi, a parliamentarian from the Italy of Values
opposition party.
"'Go Pussy!' just about sums up his lifestyle and his way
of doing politics."
Berlusconi's jokes -- often vulgar and misogynistic --
have provoked the ire of feminists, anti-racism campaigners
and the Catholic Church.
Leading Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco has denounced "behaviour
that is contrary to public dignity" and "difficult to
reconcile with institutional decorum".
Aldo Di Biagio, another Berlusconi critic from the
right-wing Future and Freedom party, said: "Berlusconi should
stop coming to parliament to tell ridiculous jokes to his
deputies who are running away."
"His time is up. He should resign for the good of Italy."
PTI
First Published: Thursday, October 06, 2011, 21:25