In Photos, Silvio Berlusconi’s Awkward Political Life

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, 76, who was convicted on fraud charges two months ago, announced this weekend that he will again seek another term as premier after spending more than a year out of office.
In Photos, Silvio Berlusconi’s Awkward Political Life
Ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who was former Italian television manager, leaves the Pavillon Gabriel in Paris, on Nov. 22, 1985 after a press conference, after he presented the upcoming privately owned 5th TV channel for which he just signed an agreement with the French government. (Michel Clement/AFP/Getty Images)
12/9/2012
Updated:
12/14/2012
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/133105584.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-323184" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/133105584-676x442.jpg" alt="Ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who was former Italian television manager, leaves the Pavillon Gabriel in Paris, on Nov. 22, 1985 after a press conference, after he presented the upcoming privately owned 5th TV channel for which he just signed an agreement with the French government. (Michel Clement/AFP/Getty Images)" width="590" height="386"/></a>
Ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who was former Italian television manager, leaves the Pavillon Gabriel in Paris, on Nov. 22, 1985 after a press conference, after he presented the upcoming privately owned 5th TV channel for which he just signed an agreement with the French government. (Michel Clement/AFP/Getty Images)

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, 76, who was convicted on fraud charges two months ago, announced this weekend that he will again seek another term as prime minister after spending more than a year out of office.

Berlusconi’s announcement came after Prime Minister Mario Monti said he would resign when Italy’s budget is passed.

“I am desperately concerned about the state, and once again I will run out of a sense of responsibility,” Berlusconi said Saturday, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Berlusconi said that his election campaign will focus on anti-austerity measures.

Over his lengthy 17-yearlong political career, Berlusconi had become infamous for gaffes while also being indicted more than 20 times. In October, he received a four-year sentence after being convicted of fraud. 

While he is aiming to run again for the prime minister’s office, we will take a look at some of the most awkward photos taken during his political life.

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/51391886.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-323186" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/51391886-615x450.jpg" alt="Berlusconi (R) jokes with his Belgian counterpart Guy Verhofstadt in December 2001, moments before the opening of the European Union summit at the Laeken castle, outside Brussels. (Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images)" width="590" height="432"/></a>
Berlusconi (R) jokes with his Belgian counterpart Guy Verhofstadt in December 2001, moments before the opening of the European Union summit at the Laeken castle, outside Brussels. (Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images)
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/93116127.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-323187" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/93116127-676x440.jpg" alt="Berlusconi (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) joke as they prepare to have informal dinner in a tent in a wildlife preserve and recreation area near a residence of Zavidovo northwest of  Moscow in 2003. (Alexi Panov/AFP/Getty Images)" width="590" height="384"/></a>
Berlusconi (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) joke as they prepare to have informal dinner in a tent in a wildlife preserve and recreation area near a residence of Zavidovo northwest of  Moscow in 2003. (Alexi Panov/AFP/Getty Images)
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/115049632-1.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-323188" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/115049632-1-676x450.jpg" alt="Berlusconi (C) takes a nap beside Italian President Senate Renato Schifani (R) while attenting the military parade to mark the founding of the Italian Republic and the 150th anniversary of Italian unification at Via dei Fori Imperiali on June 2, 2011 in Rome. (Giorgio Cosulich/Getty Images)" width="590" height="391"/></a>
Berlusconi (C) takes a nap beside Italian President Senate Renato Schifani (R) while attenting the military parade to mark the founding of the Italian Republic and the 150th anniversary of Italian unification at Via dei Fori Imperiali on June 2, 2011 in Rome. (Giorgio Cosulich/Getty Images)
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/131913547-3.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-323189" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/131913547-3-676x389.jpg" alt="Berlusconi (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) joke during their press conference in Sardinia on August 2003. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)" width="590" height="340"/></a>
Berlusconi (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) joke during their press conference in Sardinia on August 2003. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/131913548-5.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-323191" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/131913548-5-608x450.jpg" alt="A TV grab shows Berlusconi (C) performing with Italian compositor Mariano Apicella (R) during a private party at Berlusconi's summer residence in the Sardinia island. (ANSA/AFP/Getty Images)" width="590" height="436"/></a>
A TV grab shows Berlusconi (C) performing with Italian compositor Mariano Apicella (R) during a private party at Berlusconi's summer residence in the Sardinia island. (ANSA/AFP/Getty Images)
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/51220680-1.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-323192" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/51220680-1-663x450.jpg" alt="Gadhafi gestures towards Berlusconi in Syrte, some 300 miles east of Tripoli in August 2004. (/AFP/Getty Images)" width="590" height="400"/></a>
Gadhafi gestures towards Berlusconi in Syrte, some 300 miles east of Tripoli in August 2004. (/AFP/Getty Images)
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/57187172b.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-323208" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/57187172b-576x450.jpg" alt="Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi handles the "Freedom Sword" at the end of a Forza Italia electoral meeting in Naples in March 2006. (MARIO LAPORTA/AFP/Getty Images)" width="590" height="460"/></a>
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi handles the
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/3453097.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-323195" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/3453097-676x443.jpg" alt="Berlusconi (L) jokes with Russian President Putin during a joint press conference in Lipetsk,  south of Moscow in April 2004.  (Maxim Marmur/AFP/Getty Images)" width="590" height="386"/></a>
Berlusconi (L) jokes with Russian President Putin during a joint press conference in Lipetsk,  south of Moscow in April 2004.  (Maxim Marmur/AFP/Getty Images)
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/131913578.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-323196" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/131913578-650x450.jpg" alt="Berlusconi naps during the opening session of the Arab Summit on March 27, 2010 the Libyan city of Sirte. (Joseph Eid/AFP/Getty Images)" width="590" height="408"/></a>
Berlusconi naps during the opening session of the Arab Summit on March 27, 2010 the Libyan city of Sirte. (Joseph Eid/AFP/Getty Images)
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/74379160-4.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-323205" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/74379160-4-666x450.jpg" alt="Berlusconi (R), gestures during a military parade flanked by Pier Ferdinando Casini, leader of the Italian right-wing party, during the Day of the Republic celebrations in June 2007. (Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty Images)" width="590" height="399"/></a>
Berlusconi (R), gestures during a military parade flanked by Pier Ferdinando Casini, leader of the Italian right-wing party, during the Day of the Republic celebrations in June 2007. (Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty Images)
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/88152780-4.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-323198" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/88152780-4-624x450.jpg" alt="Berlusconi salutes a parade on June 2, 2009 during Republic Day celebrations in Rome. (Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images)" width="590" height="426"/></a>
Berlusconi salutes a parade on June 2, 2009 during Republic Day celebrations in Rome. (Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images)
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/73888727-1.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-323199" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/73888727-1-658x450.jpg" alt="From L to R: Mixed martial arts fighter Alexander Yemelnyanenko, Berlusconi, action film star Jean-Claude Van Damme, Russian President Putin, and mixed martial artist Fedor Emelianenko pose in St. Petersburg in April 2007. (Vladimir Rodionov/AFP/Getty Images)" width="590" height="404"/></a>
From L to R: Mixed martial arts fighter Alexander Yemelnyanenko, Berlusconi, action film star Jean-Claude Van Damme, Russian President Putin, and mixed martial artist Fedor Emelianenko pose in St. Petersburg in April 2007. (Vladimir Rodionov/AFP/Getty Images)
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/2261018-2.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-323200" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/2261018-2-643x450.jpg" alt="Berlusconi smiles next vice Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini (L) before his speech at the Senate in Rome June 2003. (Vincenzo Pinto/AFP/Getty Images)" width="590" height="413"/></a>
Berlusconi smiles next vice Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini (L) before his speech at the Senate in Rome June 2003. (Vincenzo Pinto/AFP/Getty Images)
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/104324576.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-323201" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/104324576-676x406.jpg" alt="Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi (L) gestures next to Berlusconi (R) during the equestrian show at the Tor di Quinto cavalry school in the north of Rome on Aug. 30, 2010.  (Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty Images)" width="590" height="354"/></a>
Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi (L) gestures next to Berlusconi (R) during the equestrian show at the Tor di Quinto cavalry school in the north of Rome on Aug. 30, 2010.  (Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty Images)
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/111894408-1.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-323202" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/111894408-1.jpg" alt="Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi dances during an award ceremony for youth called 'Campus Mentis' on April 8, 2011 in Rome. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images) " width="590" height="406"/></a>
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi dances during an award ceremony for youth called 'Campus Mentis' on April 8, 2011 in Rome. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images)
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/80459798-4.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-323206" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/80459798-4-604x450.jpg" alt="Berlusconi prepares himself before the broadcast 'Porta a porta' on Italian TV state channel 'Rai 1.' (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images)" width="590" height="440"/></a>
Berlusconi prepares himself before the broadcast 'Porta a porta' on Italian TV state channel 'Rai 1.' (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images)
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/56969589.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-323203" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/56969589-317x450.jpg" alt="Berlusconi puts his hand over his heart as he starts to deliver a speech to members of the 109th Congress of the United States inside the Capitol in March 2006. (Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images)" width="415" height="590"/></a>
Berlusconi puts his hand over his heart as he starts to deliver a speech to members of the 109th Congress of the United States inside the Capitol in March 2006. (Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images)
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/75255650-4.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-323204" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/75255650-4-300x450.jpg" alt="Berlusconi arrives at the 'Valentino In Rome, 45 Years Of Style' post-exhibit gala dinner at the Temple of Venus in the Imperial Forum, on July 6, 2007, in Rome (Elisabetta Villa/Getty Images) " width="393" height="590"/></a>
Berlusconi arrives at the 'Valentino In Rome, 45 Years Of Style' post-exhibit gala dinner at the Temple of Venus in the Imperial Forum, on July 6, 2007, in Rome (Elisabetta Villa/Getty Images)

 

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