Let's talk about football or women, says Berlusconi
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It was the day to show his diplomatic skills, but once again Silvio Berlusconi, the maverick Italian Prime Minister, proved that political correctness is hardly his strong suit. Addressing guests over a formal lunch, he declared the early part of the proceedings finished and proposed a discussion of something more diverting. "Football or women," he suggested.
With half a dozen female foreign ministers and leaders around the table, Mr Berlusconi's joke may not have done much to smooth a tense atmosphere. Nor did his attempt to link arms with his fierce political rival Romano Prodi, the European Commission president, seem to melt the ice.
By lunchtime yesterday leaders of almost all the 25 EU nations were trapped inside the drab building in Brussels, awaiting the arrival of Leszek Miller, the Polish Prime Minister. He was on his way from a clinic in Warsaw following helicopter accident.
Poland is one of two countries blocking agreement on a new system of voting, and Mr Miller may be the man who torpedoes the EU's draft constitution. At last he arrived, walking from his aeroplane despite his cracked vertebrae and body cast, before being ferried to the conference centre. If the pain gets too much he will have four medics to call upon, perhaps giving him an unfair advantage over the other EU leaders.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments