Berlusconi: Left has uglier women

Italian opposition leader Silvio Berlusconi has claimed that right-wing female politicians are better looking than their left-wing counterparts.

Mr Berlusconi, the centre-right's candidate in elections this weekend, was quoted as telling local media that the left had "no taste" in women.

The conservative leader has a long record of making outlandish comments.

His remarks provoked an angry reaction from the centre-left, which accused him of being sexist.

Mr Berlusconi was quoted as saying that when he looked round parliament, he found that female politicians from the right were "more beautiful".

"The left has no taste, even when it comes to women," the 71-year-old was quoted as saying.

Last year, Mr Berlusconi was forced to apologise to his wife for flirting with other women after she demanded a public apology.

He has promised to name at least four women in his cabinet if he is elected as prime minister for a third time.