video transcript

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi holds a rally ahead of the country's upcoming general elections. The 76-year-old has enjoyed something of a resurgence recently, and he even stars in of one of Italian TV's most popular political programmes. Unfortunately for him, it's a satire. The show not only targets Berlusconi but also outgoing Prime Minister Mario Monti, centre left leader Pier Luigi Bersani, and other prominent politicians. With the main candidates unable to agree how and when to hold a televised debate, the only chance voters have to see their politicians on screen at the same time may be in puppet form. The director says the show ridicules the political class based on what they actually say and do in real life. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) "GLI SGOMMATI" DIRECTOR, PIETRO IONA: "For me, I don't think we recount things that are so far removed from the real political world, we put the paradoxes in evidence. We certainly have a lot of material to work with, because what the politicians say is often silly and you can see this even now, I mean the pope has just said he would resign." Italy's general election is set to take place on February 24 and 25. With no clear winner expected in the election and a steady economic decline set to continue, Italians are facing great uncertainty. But one thing they can be sure about is that the satire will continue.