The pictures, also distributed widely on Italian news websites – and in defiance of legal threats issued by lawyers for Berlusconi – show two topless women ‘cavorting’ at a party hosted last year by the prime minister.

Berlusconi has been seeking to block the release of some 700 similar images, even as this week-end’s European parliament elections hit their peak.

CHNN Chief Correspondent Harlan Harrington, on assignment in Italy, says opinion is split among many Italians on the pictures and their possible impact on Berlusconi’s chances with voters.  Harrington reports Berlusconi supporters have scaled down previous projections for their leader and are now saying a forty percent pro Berlusconi vote would be a “good result.”

The pictures and the accompanying El Pais report, continue to circulate among voters at polling stations and among ordinary Italians, including those taking the sun at beaches, or mingling at espresso cafes, chat rooms,  and villages across the country.

In El Pais, writer Miguel Mora described a scene at the Berlusconi retreat as one of “uninhibited routine” amidst “infinite gardens, artificial lakes, sexual organs exposed, lesbian games, and special effects.”  The report goes on to explain the comings and goings of women in G-strings, mini skirts, and go-go boots, and some naked men, including one said to be a former Czech prime minster.  All faces in the pictures were pixelated to protect identities.

Mora quotes an unidentified Sardinia businessman, commenting on the pictures taken through a “long lens” by photographer Antonello Zappadu:  “Those who are invited to court, those who sleep there count a lot; those who spend a holiday there are in Caesar’s heart.”

“No question, this looks like Berlusconi’s opponents upping the ante,” said Harrington, via Internet phone to the CHNN World Desk.  “It’s definitely a – pardon the expression – finger in the eye of the prime minister.  But I’m also getting reports of counter-demonstrations, possibly in support of Berlusconi, centered in Naples – hometown of Noemi Letizia.  We’re trying to nail that down, even as we, unhh, look at these pictures … uh …  more closely.”  Harrington added, blushingly: “I’m from the Dakotas.  We don’t get much stuff like this back there.”

Questions about Berlusconi’s sex life and alleged philandering with underage women erupted several weeks ago when the prime minister’s wife said she wanted a divorce.  The center of the sexual storm since has been Letizia, an 18-year old aspiring model and politician.  Berlusconi’s wife, Veronica Lario, also a former model and actress, criticized her husband for attending Letizia’s 18th birthday party in Naples, where, wth Noemi’s family present,  the 72-year old prime minister gave the young woman a $10,000 diamond-studded necklace and, according to witnesses, an enthusiastic peck on the cheek.

Aside from gifts and attending Letizia’s birthday party, Berlusconi has steadfastly denied having an affair with the young woman.  Nothing “spicy” has gone on he has said, while pledging to step down if there is proof of a mutual taste for hot peppers, or evidence of a time-share sail boat between them.

“It’s getting worse and worse,” said Rome urban planner Vezio De Lucia, outside a polling place near the Vatican.  De Lucia said recent reports and the pictures “confirm the negative view I have of the prime minister.  It’s simply ridiculous.  I mean, you know he’s had several hair plug jobs don’t you?  What a clown!  I mean,  it would be like Joe Biden robbing cradles in America.”

Silvia Filasto, a lawyer, said Berlusconi “has committed no crime as far as we know.  His only defect is he’s simpatico, with an eye for pretty women.”

As for Noemi, she has suggested Berlusconi encouraged her to get into politics, along with several other young women.  None are reported to have any political qualifications, but that doesn’t faze Noemi.  “I want to be a showgirl.  But I’m also interested in politics.  I am flexible,” she said.  “I often sing with Papi Silvio at the piano, or we do karaoke.”  It’s unknown what political tutoring beyond singalongs has been offered to Noemi by the prime minister.

CHNN’s Harrington elaborated on the activities in Naples, apparently undertaken in support of Noemi’s political ambitions.  In the last day, Harrington reported passing over Naples beaches in the CHNN flying boat while noticing scores of young women in bikinis, wearing cheap sunglasses.  Harrington noted that all of the women had blonde hair, but he said he could not determine if all were real blondes or whether some had wigs.  But Harrington said they all displayed face fans with an image of Noemi on them, and CHNN’s intrepid correspondent said each time he flew over a beach, the women stood provocatively in the sand, looked up and waved, and placed the Noemi fans over their faces.

Harrington’s last filing from Naples to the CHNN World Desk seemed to suggest a planned rather than spontaneous beach action by the bikini blondes, perhaps as a show of indifference to the ” la affair de Berlusconi” brouhaha in mainstream news reporting.

Harrington also reported other Naples beach-goers appeared to support their hometown girl outright as a political figure, with hand-lettered signs held aloft, aimed at the CHNN flying boat.

Passing over the beaches, Harrington noted the signs said:  “WE’RE AGOG OVER NOEMI – SHE’S OUR VIRGIN PRINCESS”.