Berlusconi celebrates birthday in earthquake town

Berlusconi has been plagued by scandals since his wife announced in May that she would divorce him after he attended a young model's 18th birthday.
The prime minister had lunch with regional officials at a police barracks in the town and was invited to blow out the candles on a cake. He also attended a ceremony at which some 400 new apartments were handed over to quake victims.
"I believe that we have achieved a real miracle," he said, referring to the rehousing of quake survivors despite Italy's famed bureaucracy. "This time we have shown that the current state ... is on the side of every citizen in need."
Two weeks ago Berlusconi handed over the first 94 new homes to victims.
Around 11,000 people are still living in tents and some 25,000 in hotels along the Adriatic coast. Around 15,000 should be rehoused in new houses between now and the end of the year, according to authorities.
Berlusconi was expected later Tuesday in Rome for a celebratory dinner being held by lawmakers from his People of Freedom (PDL) party.
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