In the halls of the Fascist-era Italian Foreign Ministry near the Tiber, there is growing alarm over the impact on Italy’s image abroad of Silvio Berlusconi’s colourful private life.

However, when Franco Frattini, the Foreign Minister and a close ally of the Prime Minister, spoke to The Times yesterday he was bullish about “these scandalous attacks”. Just wait for the results of the European elections, he said. “All the opinion polls point to a resounding victory for Berlusconi.” The world would do better, he added, to focus on Italy’s commitments in Afghanistan, its contributions to Middle East peace and its plans for global financial reform at the G8. As for his countrymen, they supported the Prime Minister because of his “decisive action” in resolving the Naples rubbish crisis, his “energetic reaction” to the earthquake in Abruzzo and his delivery of a high-speed train link between Rome and Milan.

A telling remark was made by an Italian friend yesterday on perusing the El País photos: “Lucky him.”

There is no doubt that many Italians like Mr Berlusconi’s style — and most view the world through the prism of his Mediaset TV channels or of RAI, the public broadcaster — which he controls. But even if he triumphs in Europe and his domestic ratings remain high, there is a feeling in Rome that the recent publicity has hurt him. “He will survive and will continue to dominate Italy — but his wings have been clipped,” one insider said.

Mr Berlusconi’s repeated claims that the allegations are a plot by the world’s press, in cahoots with the Italian Left, are wearing thin. He has also failed to shake off the scandal over his relationship with the teenage model Noemi Letizia, despite attempts by loyal newspapers to discredit those who have given damaging testimony.

The furore may also have put paid to his dream of succeeding President Napolitano as head of state, with increased powers.

At the Foreign Ministry, diplomats argue that the relentless coverage of his private life is overshadowing not only the G8 but his achievements, such as brokering a ceasefire in Georgia or Italy’s role in “rehabilitating” Libya. (Muammar Gaddafi is to visit Rome next week. The Colonel, who will be pitching his tent in the grounds of a Renaissance villa, has asked to meet 700 Italian women at a concert hall.) On the world stage he has lost key allies after George Bush and Tony Blair stepped aside, and his relationship with the Obama Administration is in some doubt — a state of affairs not helped by his remarks that the new US President was looking “tanned”.

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