Berlusconi urged to run in primaries

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi should run in primaries before becoming a candidate for prime minister, a member of Berlusconi\'s party said. The comment from Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno, a senior member of the People of Freedom party, came after senior party officials said last week primaries to select the party\'s candidate had been dropped with Berlusconi preparing to return to politics, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. \"The PdL should have primaries,\" Alemanno said in an interview published in the Rome daily La Repubblica. \"It would also be good for Berlusconi\'s relaunch. The [People of Freedom] party executive should reflect on having made such a sudden U-turn\". Meanwhile, party Secretary Angelino Alfano has called on Nicole Minetti, one of three people on trial for allegedly providing prostitutes for alleged sex parties at Berlusconi\'s home, to resign as Lombardy regional councilor for the party. ANSA said Alfano\'s call has been viewed in the media as part of his effort to rid the party of someone linked to corruption before next year\'s general elections, when Berlusconi is expected to run for a fourth term as prime minister. Minetti, who had been Berlusconi\'s dental hygienist, responded to Alfano\'s call by posting on Twitter, \"Why?\" Sources said she has been persuaded to resign by Berlusconi. Berlusconi is on trial in Milan on charges of having sex with underage prostitute Karima \"Ruby\" El Mahroug and attempting to cover up his actions.