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Rome, July 22: Silvio Berlusconi, Italy’s image-conscious Prime Minister, has urged his party chief in Sicily to follow his example and have a hair transplant in a novel attempt to prevent defeat at the next election.

Angelino Alfano, 35, a rising political star, but who is balding, admitted to La Repubblica yesterday that rumours doing the rounds in parliament about his boss’s instruction were “true”. Asked if the Prime Minister had given him advice, the MP replied: “Coming from him it’s like an offer you can’t refuse.”

Berlusconi is known as a perfectionist and stickler for visual detail. In the past he has urged young politicians in his stable to do away with facial hair, for which he has a dislike bordering on obsession.

But hair on the head is another matter. He sees it as essential for a man to be a winner and last year underwent a transplant. The news was confirmed last August when it emerged that the Italian leader had greeted Tony Blair on holiday in Sardinia sporting a bandana to cover signs of the operation. Now he has a notable head of hair.

Berlusconi’s “invitation” to Alfano comes 10 months before he wants national elections. Despite trying to win back popular support, he is widely expected to be given a drubbing with voters defecting in droves to the centre-Left Opposition because of the disastrous state of the economy.