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Women should use bodies to get ahead in politics, says Berlusconi ally
A close ally of Silvio Berlusconi has provoked a furious debate on sexism in politics after saying that women wanting to be elected to parliament should use their bodies to kick-start their careers.
Nick Squires in Rome
Published: 4:42PM BST 14 Sep 2010
Giorgio Stracquadanio, an Italian government MP, said it was "absolutely legitimate" for women to use their *** appeal and physical attributes in order to ensure success in their political careers.
"To develop a career, everyone uses what they have. Even their bodies it is absolutely legitimate. Everyone should use their body as they see fit. As long as there is consent, there is no violence and if there is no violence then there's no problem," Mr Stracquadanio said.
He added that if a female MP admitted to having secured her position in exchange for sexual favours, it would not constitute grounds for resignation or even embarrassment.
His remarks were strongly condemned across the political spectrum in Italy, with MPs describing them as "nauseating", "misogynist" and "vulgar and unacceptable".
Alessandra Mussolini, the granddaughter of the late fascist leader, said the comments were "a total disaster".
But they appeared to confirm the long-held impression that Mr Berlusconi and his cohorts prize beauty more than brains, having installed a string of showgirls and models with little political experience in parliament.
The current tourism minister, Michela Brambilla, 42, is a former Miss Italy finalist known for her high heels and short skirts, while the equal opportunities minister, Mara Carfagna, used to pose semi-naked for men's magazines and has been described as the world's best looking minister.
Barbara Matera, 28, also a former Miss Italy contender, was last year elected to the European Parliament as an MEP, despite intense controversy over her candidacy and criticism from Mr Berlusconi's estranged wife that it amounted to "entertainment for the emperor".
Most recently Nicole Minetti, 25, an ex-dancer who met Mr Berlusconi when she was working as a dental hygienist in a Milan hospital, was put forward as a candidate in regional elections in March and now sits in Lombardy's regional assembly.
Miss Carfagna and Miss Brambilla have in the past stridently denied that their political appointments were a result of their good looks, and none of the women wanted to offer any comment on Mr Stracquadanios insinuations.
Mr Stracquadanio, a member of the prime minister's People of Freedom Party, later tried to backpedal on his controversial comments.
"I only said that in parliament, as in many other places of work, the physical aspect is important, because taking care of your appearance means that you have self-respect." But he was accused of using the language of a "pimp" by one MP, Antonio Borghesi, while others said his suggestion "humiliated" female politicians.
"His remarks are a perfect mirror of the immoral subculture that characterises the People of Freedom party, the head of which (Mr Berlusconi) has not hesitated to put forward as candidates many of his attractive female friends," said Luigi De Magistris, from the opposition Italy of Values party.
Mr Stracquadanio also came under attack from MPs within his own party.
Barbara Saltamartini said she felt "indignation", while another, Beatrice Lorenzin, accused him of undermining the credibility of female MPs.
His remarks fuelled a debate which began last week, when a female MP suggested that some women in parliament had "prostituted themselves" to secure political appointments.
Angela Napoli, a government MP in a breakaway faction led by Gianfranco Fini, a former ally of Mr Berlusconi, said that she would "not exclude" the possibility that some female MPs and senators had been elected after "prostituting themselves".
Women should use bodies to get ahead in politics, says Berlusconi ally - Telegraph
was tht supposed to be funny?
