Silvio Berlusconi splits from long-term girlfriend 'for woman 53 years his junior'

Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has split from his long-term girlfriend Francesca Pascale - reportedly for a woman 53 years his junior.

The 83-year-old self-styled godfather of Italian politics is said to be dating 30-year-old Marta Antonia Fascina, an MP from his party.

That is four years younger than Ms Pascale.

Mr Berlusconi's Forza Italia party, which he founded a quarter of a century ago, confirmed the break-up in a statement.

It said a "deep friendship" remained between him and Ms Pascale - but their 12-year relationship was over.

Ms Pascale, 34, who once said in an interview that she asked Mr Berlusconi to marry her every day, told La Repubblicca she was "astonished" by the announcement.

"I will hold him dear forever. I wish him all the happiness in the world and hope he finds someone who will take care of him as I have," she said.

It comes after images emerged of the twice-divorced media mogul and Ms Fascina leaving a hotel in Switzerland walking Ms Pascale's dog, Dudu.

"It amuses me to see a member of parliament take my dog for a walk. But that's fine by me," she said.

Famed for his infamous Bunga Bunga parties and sex scandals, Mr Berlusconi was Italy's longest-serving post-war premier but cannot stand for office again due to a 2013 tax fraud conviction.