Berlusconi calls Italy a ‘shitty country’

If I were Silvio Berlusconi, at this point I would just assume my phone conversations were being taped: It was in a phone conversation with Lavitola late on 13 July that Berlusconi was said by the judge to have erupted in anger. "They can say about me that I screw. It’s the only thing they ...

By , a former associate editor at Foreign Policy.
VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images
VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images
VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images

If I were Silvio Berlusconi, at this point I would just assume my phone conversations were being taped:

If I were Silvio Berlusconi, at this point I would just assume my phone conversations were being taped:

It was in a phone conversation with Lavitola late on 13 July that Berlusconi was said by the judge to have erupted in anger. "They can say about me that I screw. It’s the only thing they can say about me. Is that clear?" he said to the man allegedly blackmailing him. "They can put listening devices where they like. They can tap my telephone calls. I don’t give a fuck. I … In a few months, I’m getting out to mind my own fucking business, from somewhere else, and so I’m leaving this shitty country of which I’m sickened."

I’m no expert in Italian politics, but I’m guessing people don’t generally appreciate hearing this sort of thing from their leader. 

Joshua Keating is a former associate editor at Foreign Policy. Twitter: @joshuakeating

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