See you in court, angry pensioner tells Berlusconi

ROME (Reuters) - A 78-year-old Italian woman is suing Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi because her pension has not been raised despite his pre-electoral pledge five years ago.

Back in 2001, when he was leading the center-right opposition, Berlusconi said during a television talk show that if voted into office he would boost pensions to at least 516 euros ($624) per month as part of his "contract with Italians."

He went on to win that year's general election.

But Ida Severini, a pensioner from a town near Rome, says she only receives 378 euros ($457) per month.

She told the Corriere della Sera newspaper that she voted for Berlusconi in the 2001 polls because of his promise to raise pensions and now wants him to explain why he did not fulfil his pledge.

"I was hoping to get that money, but it did not come," Severini told the newspaper.

Antonio Di Pietro, a former magistrate turned opposition politician whose party is backing Severini's legal battle, told reporters on Friday Berlusconi would have to appear before a judge in Rome on February 28 for "failing to fulfil a promise to the public."

"Either five years ago Berlusconi was joking or his contract with Italians was a serious thing. If it was an empty promise, voters will understand they cannot trust him. If it was a serious thing, then it is only right that he has to answer in court," Di Pietro said.

Italians vote on Apr. 9 in a general election which opinion polls indicate Berlusconi will lose.

Asked whether she would still vote for him, Severini told the newspaper: "If he gives me my 500 euros, then yes."