The improbable piece of advice was the latest offbeat remark by the Italian conservative leader, and as in previous cases the comment drew scorn and criticism.

Berlusconi, the billionaire media mogul who is running for premier at April elections, was asked by a young woman on a TV show on Thursday night how young couples are supposed to obtain a mortgage or start a family without a permanent job.

"This is the advice that as a father I take the liberty of giving: you should perhaps look to marry Berlusconi's son, or somebody else who doesn't have such problems," he replied.

Always the gentleman, Berlusconi told the young woman: "With that smile of yours, you could even get away with it."

Berlusconi's off-the-cuff remarks have landed him in trouble before, and this time he was accused of being disrespectful toward women and towards countless youths who cannot plan their future because they cannot land permanent jobs.

Many Italian employers prefer to give short-term job contracts because Italian law makes it very difficult to fire long-term employees.

Berlusconi dismissed the flap, saying that he just made a joke.

The woman smiled when listening to Berlusconi's answer and told Italian media she would vote for him.