ROME, June 26 (UPI) -- Marina Berlusconi, daughter of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, said Wednesday she has no plans to take over her father's political movement.
Several of her father's allies suggested Marina could revive the People of Freedom Party by returning it to its roots as Forza d'Italia, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. Marina Berlusconi, head of the Berlusconi holding company Fininvest, mounted a vigorous defense of her father after he was convicted Monday of having sex with an underage woman.
Marina Berlusconi released a short statement: "The reiterated rumours of a political career for Marina Berlusconi are groundless."
Berlusconi was sentenced to seven years in prison by a court in Milan and banned for life from public office. He says he is the victim of a vendetta by liberal judges.
Also Wednesday, President Giorgio Napolitano, who is the ex officio head of the Italian judiciary, invited the former prime minister to a private meeting. That appears to be a show of support for Berlusconi and his charges against his judges.
