Italy’s billionaire former leader Silvio Berlusconi lashed out at the European Union on Sunday as he appealed to the populist right and called for “less Europe” at a Northern League demonstration.

The 79-year-old controversial politician addressed thousands of protesters during a demonstration in the northern city of Bologna.

Berlusconi proposed a programme with “fewer taxes, less state involvement and less Europe” as well as “more help to those who need it, more guarantees and more security”.