Berlusconi calls European Commission bigwigs 'fat slugs'

Drudge Report ^ | 04/07/2004 | Drudge

[Constitutionalist Conservative]

Berlusconi calls European Commission bigwigs 'fat slugs'
Wed Apr 07 2004 11:35:59 ET

Never one to underestimate his own talents, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi gave himself another pat on the back Wednesday for squashing the "big fat slugs" who run the show in Brussels.

"We've won a great battle... we have managed to make those big fat European slugs take steps forward," with the adoption of an EU plan on transport, he said.

The Italian leader was hitting back after being pummelled for the past few days in Brussels.

The European Commission, headed by Berlusconi's arch-rival Romano Prodi, served Italy with an "early warning" over the country's budget deficit, which has edged dangerously close to the EU limits.

Prodi, the leftwing opposition leader who is widely expected to challenge Berlusconi in 2006 elections, also snapped at Italy's current role in Iraq, saying the country would withdraw its troops if the center-left was in power.

Berlusconi backers in Rome snarled at the commission's budget warning, calling it a dark plot by Prodi to boost his elections chances.

But Berlusconi himself, already on a campaign warpath ahead of European Parliament elections in June, snapped back.

"If there is one dedicated European, then it's me. I have always been. And if there is one European country, it's Italy. This absolutely does not mean that it's impossible to criticize those who occupy posts for which they are unqualified," he said, without naming any names.

During his own campaigning, Berlusconi has vowed to lower taxes -- a promise that cannot have fallen on deaf ears in Brussels, which fears Italy will exceed budget deficit limits imposed by the Growth and Stability Pact.

[Crazieman]

I love Italy's prime minister. Every time he opens his mouth, liberals and appeasenicks cringe the world over. And he never holds back his shots.

[Guillermo]

We need more like him, here in the US.

[Support Free Republic]

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[CzarNicky]

He's correct.

[Miss Marple]

I have loved Berlusconi ever since he made a point, while visiting at Camp David, for thanking the sons and daughters of America for Italy's freedom. I was sorry my dad, who had served in the Italian theater in WWII, didn't live to see it.

Berlusconi is a great guy, and I love it when he says stuff like this, because I know the left goes apoplectic.

[VOA]

Berlusconi calls European Commission bigwigs 'fat slugs'

I hope Berlusconi has banked some money.
Surely some slugs will file a slander suit, seeing how slugs actually
a life-form that serve a useful place in the environment.

[VOA]

just a ping, good sir

[SecularisX]

While some of these EU commissioners no doubt fall into the "fat slug" category (he'd be right on 9 out of 10 politicians in general), and while he is on our side with respect to Iraq, let's not forget that he is an arrogant, selfish, and destructive leader the likes of which we would never hope to see leading our government.

Actually, he'd best be careful with his comments because "fat slug" is a fair brand for 9 out of 10 media moguls as well.

X

[Unam Sanctam]

He's a good guy, but he lacks gravitas and should be more careful what he says. He allows the liberal media to scoff at him and not take him seriously.

[3AngelaD]

I love him, too, and almost always agreed with him. I especially cheered his post-9/11 remarks about the need for us to defend Western Civilization and values.