Italians remained largely faithful to Silvio Berlusconi’s centre-right government, according to Monday’s results from the European elections, in spite of controversy over the prime minister’s colourful and high-spending life-style, and allegations of corruption raised by Milan judges.

Aides, however, indicated that Mr Berlusconi was unhappy that his People of Liberty party had failed to win the resounding endorsement he had desired in order to rebut the foreign and domestic criticism of his personal conduct and legislation passed to protect his interests.