Silvio Berlusconi's oldest daughter Marina, head of his $6.6 billion business empire, on Tuesday flatly dismissed growing speculation that she would replace her father as leader of Italy's centre-right after his conviction for tax fraud, Reuters reported. Talk that she would take over the leadership intensified after the supreme court upheld his conviction on Aug.1, confirming he faces a year's house arrest or community service. The four-times prime minister, who has dominated Italian politics for the past 20 years, is also likely to be ejected from the Senate in the autumn and be unable to stand as an electoral candidate. "I must reiterate once again, and categorically, that I never considered entering politics," the 47-year-old Marina said in a statement. She said she hoped the denial would put paid to any speculation about "an intention I never entertained and do not entertain." -- SPA 19:36 LOCAL TIME 16:36 GMT تغريد
