Silvio Berlusconi now calls himself world's most popular leader

Washington, May 2 (ANI): After calling himself the Jesus Christ of Italian politics, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi boasted yesterday that he's the world's most popular leader.

The 72-year-old said opinion poll findings in his possession showed his popularity at just over 75 per cent, making him far more popular than the American president, Barack Obama, or any other head of government.

"The opinion polls I know say that (Obama] is at 59 per cent," the Scotsman quoted Berlusconi as saying.

"Only (Brazilian president Luiz Inacio] Lula tops 60 per cent - he is at 64 per cent. So mine is a record high," he added.

Although political analysts admit that Berlusconi enjoys high popularity ratings but not as high as he claims.

The Italian premier, who is known to have eyes for attractive women, was recently caught in a spat with wife Veronica over his choice of female politicians in his cabinet. (ANI)