'No-sex promise a joke' - PM
2006-02-01 13:47
Rome - Premier Silvio Berlusconi's reported promise that he would abstain from sex until the April 9 general election was just a joke.
"It was a joke," Berlusconi said on Tuesday. "We were laughing, joking."
"I don't (abstain) at all," the premier said. He added that "moderation" was necessary "since I have so many commitments".
On Sunday, an Italian daily reported that Berlusconi made the no-sex vow during a campaign rally the day before in Cagliari, Sardinia, with a popular TV preacher on the island and his followers.
The clergyman, Reverend Massimiliano Pusceddu, praised the premier for what he described as a defence of family values and promised that his followers would support the conservative leader.
According to the report, Berlusconi replied: "I thank you a lot. I will try to meet your expectations, and I promise from now on, 2½ months of absolute sexual abstinence, until April 9."
The report was carried in Il Giornale, a conservative Milan daily owned by Paolo Berlusconi, the premier's brother.
Berlusconi is married to Veronica Lario, an actress.
Berlusconi's challenger in the vote is Romano Prodi, a centre-left leader and former premier.
- AP