Berlusconi's daughters will not contest European elections

Silvio Berlusconi's advisor Giovanni Toti denied that one of the former Italian prime minister’s daughters would stand for the European elections in May.

Media speculation had it that the magnate's two daughters, Marina and Barbara, might contest the European Parliament elections after the centre-right Forza Italia leader was barred because of a tax-fraud conviction.

"The family has always denied this and I have no knowledge of it," Giovanni Toti said.

On Tuesday Italy's supreme court upheld a two-year ban from office for the three-time premier, who was also barred from voting.

The Italian press and some of his party’s members have suggested 77-year-old Berlusconi's elder daughter Marina, 47, a top executive at his media empire, or Barbara, 29, CEO of AC Milan, might run in his stead.

The charismatic conservative leader is leading the FI campaign from outside parliament, having been ejected from the Senate in November.