Silvio Berlusconi to display battered face on party posters

London, Dec 30 (ANI): Silvio Berlusconi is all set use the attack on him for political gains - the Italian Prime Minister will use posters of his bloodied face for a campaign of his People of Freedom Party.

Berlusconi, 73, had his nose fractured and lost two teeth besides serious cuts to his gums and lips, when a man smashed his face with a souvenir of Milan's cathedral after a rally in the city on December 13.

Berlusconi plans to enlist one million new members into his party and the drive will see tens of thousands of posters up on billboards, saying: "Love always wins over hate".

The media baron has generated a lot of public sympathy after Massimo Tartaglia, 42, a mentally challenged man, battered his face. A poll by IPR Marketing, found Berlusconi's approval ratings shot up to 48percent from 45percent after the attack.

Italy will go for regional polls in spring 2010, and Berlusconi is all geared up for a victory.

"I am back at work for the good of the country. Many things need to be done to change our Italy for the better," the Telegraph quoted him, as writing in a letter to his party members.

He added: "The objective of our campaign is to recruit one million new members to the Party of Freedom. One million people who want to work with us for the good of the country and Italians."

Berlusconi's spokesman Paolo Bonaiuti said: "He's in fine form and just needs to get a few things fixed after the attack. I talk to him every day and he's more determined and positive than ever." (ANI)