Meloni rages as Berlusconi’s ‘vodka gifts’ from Putin hijack Italy’s coalition talks

If there was ever any doubt that Silvio Berlusconi would make an awkward “junior” partner in Italy’s next government, it was dispelled in sensational fashion this week as the octogenarian former premier was recorded boasting that he exchanged gifts of vodka, wine and “sweet” letters with Russia’s Vladimir Putin – earning rebukes from both Brussels and his coalition partner, Italy’s likely next leader Giorgia Meloni.