Court Rejects Law Giving Berlusconi Immunity

An Italian court struck down the law designed to protect Silvio Berlusconi from corruption charges, ruling that it would take a constitutional amendment, not a mere act of parliament, to save the Italian prime minister. Courts can now resume the two corruption trials against Berlusconi that have been on hold since the law was passed last year. Berlusconi complains that the trials are politically motivated.

The prime minister still has three years left on his term, and remains popular, despite the corruption allegations—he’s been acquitted in eight other corruption trials over his careers—and the sex scandals surrounding him. In the wake of today's ruling, a spokesman tells the BBC that he won't resign. "Berlusconi, the government, and the majority will continue to govern." (More Silvio Berlusconi stories.)