Former Prime Minister Topolanek Naked… National Secret Shhh

(BRUSSELS2) After denying being present, the former Czech Prime Minister, who until recently was President of the European Union, finally admitted having taken part in a very private and very undressed party in a villa in Sardinia belonging to to his Italian counterpart, the President of the Council, Silvio Berlusconi, in May 2008. The evening was indeed deprived... of clothes, if we judge by the very pronounced undresses of the women - several of whom seem rather "professional" - and men present. But Topolanek denounced a photomontage that did not present him to his advantage (perhaps he is more beautiful in reality!).

The role of the press

The photos have just been published by the Spanish daily, El Pais, thus circumventing the censorship of the President of the Italian Council who had banned the dissemination of these photos to Italian newspapers on the grounds of his private life and the presence of another head of government. As rightly written bycolumnist for El Pais, this publication arises from a democratic interest, and preservation of the freedom of the press. Preserving privacy is one thing. But when several public figures are invited, and above all public means are employed (with use of State means), one cannot then claim the protection of privacy.

Military aircraft used

One of the most important consumer associations in Italy - the Codacons - has, in fact, lodged several complaints, in particular before the Prosecutor of Bologna, after having come into possession of a document from the Guardia di Finanza, indicating day by day, all the people who from July 2001 to October 2007 used planes, helicopters, speedboats and Italian army coastguards for purposes that were not entirely public. Lists that can be found on Carlo Rienzi's site.
(photo credit: © El Pais)