Silvio Berlusconi, the controversial Italian media magnate who has a home in Bermuda, is expected to be named the premier of Italy following election results announced yesterday.

The billionaire businessman was widely criticised before Sunday's poll for his extensive ownership of television stations in Italy, which opponents said was an intolerable conflict of interest.

He was also attacked for going into an alliance with the xenophobic right-wing Northern League, whose anti-immigration positions have fuelled some concern in Europe.

In the run-up to the election, newspapers and magazines across Europe ran in-depth features questioning the source of Mr. Berlusconi's wealth.

Mr. Berlusconi, who owns a mansion called Blue Horizons in Tuckers Town, won a resounding victory in the elections, whose final results were revealed yesterday.

But he may have to rely on the support of the Northern League in Italy's Senate.

POLITICS PTL