ROME
NBC News
By Alastair Jamieson, Staff writer, NBC News
ROME — The abdication of Pope Benedict XVI is a move of global magnitude, but it is causing even bigger waves in Italy, where some experts believe the blanket media coverage could thwart the political comeback of Silvio Berlusconi.
The disgraced former prime minister is seeking a return to the spotlight by leading a center-right alliance in this month’s elections, triggered by the resignation of his successor, Mario Monti.
Berlusconi’s alliance is behind in the polls, not least because of the impending “bunga bunga” court case, where he is accused of paying for sex with an underage nightclub dancer.
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