Berlusconi accused of hogging TV

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was accused by the head of state broadcaster RAI yesterday of dominating the airwaves ahead of June's European elections, re-igniting the controversy over his media muscle.

RAI president Lucia Annunziata said Mr Berlusconi's air time on the network's news shows in February had dwarfed space given to other politicians, breaking the public broadcaster's mandate.

"The premier is invasive... he has exceeded the limits," he told reporters, adding Mr Berlusconi was overshadowing both the opposition and his own coalition allies. Mr Berlusconi vanished from the public eye for a month over the New Year holidays as he recovered from a face lift. But since his return to the political front line, barely a day has passed without him popping up on the television and radio.

He was due to take part in RAI's top chat show yesterday, his second appearance on the keenly followed programme in less than a month and just a day after an hour-long interview on RAI radio.

Opposition leaders demanded to take part in the chat show, but Mr Berlusconi and his TV host refused their request.