Top 10 Worst Silvio Berlusconi Gaffes

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has conquered Italian politics for 17 years, been indicted more than 20 times and currently stands trial for four different convictions. As he prepares to step down, TIME takes a look at his most regrettable faux pas and inappropriate zingers

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"We can't think of deploying a large force. We would have to send as many soldiers as there are beautiful girls. And I don't think we would manage."

When asked by reporters about a proposal to deploy 300,000 troops to fight crime following a series of sexual assaults in Rome and other cities, Berlusconi responded with a quip about the beauty of Italian women — one of his favorite topics. The billionaire media-mogul-turned politician later said he meant the remark as a compliment: "There are only about 100,000 people in law enforcement, while there are millions of beautiful women ... Women have to be defended. [Rape] is a trauma that remains for life." He later pointed out that people should remember his remarks are often made with a sense of "levity."

Read "Why Berlusconi Loves a Good Gaffe."