Italian premier smitten by Miss Italy

London, Sept 18: Known for his affiliation with women, Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi, has now got a new object of affection – the new Miss Italy.

During an appearance on a television talk show, the Italian premier was spotted glancing appreciatively at the newly crowned Miriam Leone. Berlusconi and Leone happened to discuss serious issues on the current affairs show, Porta a Porta. And, it seemed that the 71-year-old politician could not keep his eyes off from the 23-year-old student who possesses a pair of enviably long legs. Berlusconi’s admiring glance is likely to provoke the ire of Veronica, Mr Berlusconi``s long-suffering wife of more than 20 years. She once took the unusual step of contacting Left-leaning newspaper La Repubblica following reports that the politician had approached several women at a party and told them: "If I wasn`t married, I would marry you straight away." In her letter, she wrote: "These were declarations that I see as damaging to my dignity and cannot be treated as just joke. That is why I am asking for a public apology as I have not receievd one in private." ANI