Bearing ample evidence of the nips, tucks and hair transplants that have reversed the march of time, Silvio Berlusconi beamed to supporters as he cast his vote.
The three-times prime minister swept up to a voting station in his hometown of Milan in a smart dark suit with a jacket slung over his shoulders. Then there was a surprise. A young woman suddenly leapt on to a table and bared her breasts, with the words "Time's up, Berlusconi", written across her chest.
The Femen activist may have reminded him of old times. The 81-year-old was forced out of office seven years ago amid an economic crisis and alleged dalliances with barely-clothed young women at so-called "bunga bunga" parties. Trials in which he is accused of bribing the actresses and starlets to give false testimony, are still ongoing.
Berlusconi is now at the helm of an uneasy alliance between Forza Italia, his own party, and the anti-immigrant, anti-euro League and two smaller right-wing parties. A fraud conviction and ban on public office means he is not standing for PM this time, but he has indicated that when the ban expires next year, he will aim for the premiership.
