[Italy PM] Silvio Berlusconi picks former topless model Mara Carfagna as G8 escort

The Telegraph ^ | 7/6/2009 | Nick Squires in Rome

[bruinbirdman]

Faced with the thorny problem of having no "First Lady" to look after the G8 leaders' spouses on their three day trip to Italy, Silvio Berlusconi has come up with a solution in keeping with his reputation.

The Italian prime minister has asked a former topless model turned government minister to stand in for his estranged wife.

The 72-year-old premier has chosen Mara Carfagna – now Italy's equal opportunities minister – to take care of the likes of Michelle Obama

Formr model Mara Carfagna will take care of the likes of Michelle Obama and Sarah Brown

Miss Carfagna, 33, is an ex-glamour girl whose sultry looks and portfolio of lingerie calendars earned her the title of the world's sexiest government minister from men's magazine Maxim.

The one-time Miss Italy contestant will be supported in the role by another attractive young member of the cabinet, education minister Maria Stella Gelmini.

Mr Berlusconi is said to have chosen Miss Carfagna and Miss Gelmini to reward them for being "staunch champions" as he has battled allegations that he slept with a high-class call-girl at his mansion in Rome last November. Together they will guide the G8 wives around Rome and the mountain town of L'Aquila 65 miles away, where the summit is being held from Wednesday to Friday.

But the appointment of the pair has reportedly sparked a "cold war" with two of Mr Berlusconi's other favourites, youth minister Giorgia Meloni and environment minister Stefania Prestigiacomo.

Miss Meloni has been forced to deny she felt snubbed, saying she had other G8 duties to attend to: "I can't see what all the fuss is about."

There had been intense speculation over how Mr Berlusconi would solve the problem of no longer having a First

[BigBobber]

That’s diplomacy! Carla has some competition.

[kesg]

Silvio Berlusconi is my hero....

[DuncanWaring]

Are those books or cigarette cartons in front of her on the bench?

[skimbell]

Na, maybe MO can give her a few pointers. Ms. Carfagna could use a little work on her biceps!/s

[God luvs America]

"Anda she looksa twice as a nice when shesa naked!!"

[skimbell]

See, now I knew that this was going to happen! WTF! You'd hit it Huh? No Chit? I think that this is what you call Dwelling on the obvious.

Only place you'd find a guy who wouldn't Hit it is at DU.

[Nam Vet]

Reminds me of my Italian father-in-law.

Nam Vet

[skimbell]

?... Who cares?

[Ditter]

Oh come on! Holding up the 3 fingers means he has already peed his pants 3 times today.

[allmendream]

Asa American of Italiano descent I gots problems wit youse depictions of Italian Americans vernacular, capiche?

[csvset]

Here's Giorgia Meloni.

Here's

Miss Stefania Prestigiacomo

[Bratch]

Depends.

[NativeNewYorker]

This is just f’ing wonderful.

[GOPRaleigh]

for later reading

[Postman]

Michelle is steatopygic....but in an ugly way.

[Ditter]

Yeah, he needs ‘em but I’ll bet he doesn’t wear ‘em.

[AdvisorB]

I don't think our lovely first lady stands a chance against the sultry Italiana, but Michelle may be able to dazzle the Italians with her penchant for high fashion.

[God luvs America]

heya...ba fangol...