ROME, June 29: European newspapers raked Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s political record over the coals on Sunday as his government prepares to take on the rotating EU presidency from Greece this week.

European newspapers cited Berlusconi’s continued control over a vast media empire while he holds the prime ministerial reins of power as a conflict of interest, dressed him down for pressing a law through parliament that makes him immune to prosecution while in office and questioned his scruples.

“At home, he demolishes the justice system, subjugates television, has parliament make laws tailored to his needs. Now Italy’s head of government Silvio Berlusconi will represent Europe. His EU colleagues hope that his presidency passes without damage,” wrote Germany’s Der Spiegel magazine.

Its Sunday cover featured Berlusconi atop a golden throne underscored by a caption equating him with Don Vito Corleone, a fictional mob boss made famous by Marlon Brando in a 1972 film.

“Silvio Berlusconi, The Godfather, now showing in the whole of Europe,” it blared.

Britain’s Times asked if under Berlusconi’s leadership today’s Italy would still qualify for EU membership.

“Europe fears the imminent presidency of Berlusconi,” said Spain’s El Pais.

The comments highlight the concerns that some Europeans have about Italy’s upcoming six-month term at the head of the EU, but also what’s at stake for Berlusconi and Italy as a whole.

“What’s in play on the first of July: the image of Italy,” Corriere della Sera wrote in an editorial on Sunday.

Not surprisingly, even Berlusconi’s political rivals have given him some backing as Italy itself comes under scrutiny.

“Italy’s political agenda cannot be dictated by the national and foreign media,” Piero Fassino, head of the Democrats of the Left opposition party, said in a newspaper interview.

“Over the next six months, we will push for a successful Italian presidency,” he said.

Italy faces a particularly busy semester, with a tight timetable to wrap up negotiations on Europe’s historic new constitution and ambitious schemes to kick start the EU economy.

Berlusconi will also have the tough task of trying to give the EU a single foreign policy voice as it mends relations with the United States, helps negotiate a Middle East peace plan and expands to accept 10 new members.

But the recent comments in the foreign press suggest the prime minister still has to win over the confidence of his immediate neighbours.

“At this moment in its history, Europe might have hoped to be piloted by a man of undisputed moral and political leadership. That will not be the case,” France’s Le Monde said this week.—Reuters