By Gavin Jones

ROME (Reuters). Silvio Berlusconi, former Prime Minister of Italy is mobilizing his media network behind his bid to be elected president in Italy this month. This move revives long-standing concerns over conflict of interests.

This 85-year old billionaire media tycoon is currently the candidate for Italy’s center-right alliance. He controls three national TV channels and several magazines, and also owns a daily newspaper.

Berlusconi’s past – including being convicted for tax fraud and holding “bunga bunga,” sex party sex parties, make him an unlikely candidate. On paper, he also lacks the support of the vast majority of parliamentary members.

Berlusconi did not hesitate to ignore these issues and his recent health concerns. He launched a media campaign similar to those which helped him win the three previous national elections.

He is trying to get the support of scores unaffiliated senators and deputies who may be able to help him in the presidential palace.

Berlusconi, even though he doesn’t need to win the vote of the Italian people, hopes that creating public support for his candidacy will help him convince legislators to give him their backing.

Daniele Albertazzi is a British politics professor who closely follows Berlusconi’s career.

Berlusconi’s Mediaset TV channels (OTC:) have promoted his presidential ambitions for weeks. They highlight his achievements and qualities while ignoring any blemishes like the ongoing trial in which he is accused of bribing witnesses to a legal case. He denies these charges.

Il Giornale, Silvio Berlusconi’s family newspaper ran an advertisement that appeared on the full-page of his paper.

The image featured an old photo of the former prime minister and a 22-page list listing his traits and accomplishments.

They include “being a good, generous person”, being friends with everyone and enemies of no one, and “a self-made, exceptional man that is an example for all Italians.”

His list of accomplishments includes “ending Cold War”. Other accomplishments include founding commercial television in Europe and serving as president of the “club that has won the most football championships in history”.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCUSSION

Berlusconi was accused of using the media to advance his political ambitions, and then using his power to protect his media interests. He entered politics in 1994.

However, even though it was ruling, the centre left did not alter the law in order to solve the problem. This may have been because Berlusconi’s business empire would be furious.

Berlusconi approved modest legislation regarding conflict of interests in 2004. Although this legislation was widely rejected, it has not been strengthened.

According to Lorenzo Pregliasco, a pollster and political analyst, “Everyone believed Berlusconi had been removed from the picture following 2011 and the conflict of interests debate just vanished.”

It is typical of Italian politics that an issue is only considered when it is urgently needed.