Topless model takes on Berlusconi: Ex-Italian PM's former equal opportunities minister challenges him for control of his party following his decision to join forces with Matteo Salvini
- Former Minister for Equal Opportunity Mara Carfagna is challenging Berlusconi
- Carfagna's bid to topple party leader comes after his alliance with League party
- Cafagna said she would try to preserve Forza Italia as a 'centre-left' party
- She used to work as a glamour model before joining Berlusconi's cabinet in 2008
Former Italian Minister for Equal Opportunity and ex topless model Mara Carfagna is challenging former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi for control of Forza Italia.
Mara Carfagna, 43, is pushing ahead with her bid to topple Mr Berlusconi, 83, after he decided to form an alliance with the country's far-right League party, fronted by anti-migrant leader Matteo Salvini.
Cafagna said she would try to preserve Forza Italia as a 'centre-left' party that does not incite 'hatred and intolerance.'
Former Italian Minister for Equal Opportunity and topless model Mara Carfagna (pictured in July) is challenging former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi for control of Forza Italia
Mara Carfagna (pictured in 1997, left, and 2004, right) worked as a glamour model before entering politics in 2006
Former Italian premier and Forza Italia party leader Silvio Berlusconi pictured today
It comes as Berlusconi called for an allegiance with the far-right and Salvini's party as League continues to expand its influence southward from its northern power base.
'We need a liberal and popular centre-right that doesn't just instigate hatred and intolerance,' Ms Carfagna said in a recent tweet.
Berlusconi subsequently denied claims that he has become a political third wheel for Salvini.
A source close to the party said that Ms Carfagna had the support of up to 50 of the 160 MPs in the party and that numerous MPs dislike Berlusconi's swerve towards populism.
Ms Carfagna pictured in the 90s. She holds a law degree and worked as a glamour model before entering politics in 2006, when she was elected to the Chamber of Deputies
Ms Carfagna pictured in August. 'We need a liberal and popular centre-right that doesn't just instigate hatred and intolerance,' she said in a tweet
Ms Carfagna holds a law degree and worked as a glamour model before entering politics in 2006, when she was elected to the Chamber of Deputies.
She served for three years as Minister of Equal Opportunity under Berlusconi's government from 2008 to 2011.
Carfagna had been named 'the most beautiful minister in the world' and was ranked number one on Maxim's 'World's Hottest Politicians'.
In January 2007, Carfagna was at the center of a controversy when Berlusconi said about Carfagna that 'If I was not already married I would have married her immediately'.
The comment caused Berlusconi's wife Veronica Lario to demand an apology through a national newspaper.
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