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Court Rejects Law Giving Berlusconi Immunity

Italian PM will have to stand trial for corruption

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 7, 2009 12:50 PM CDT

(Newser) – 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."

Silvio Berlusconi delivers his speech as he attends a meeting in Milan, Italy, Sept. 27, 2009.
Silvio Berlusconi delivers his speech as he attends a meeting in Milan, Italy, Sept. 27, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alberto Pellaschiar)
A view of the start of a constitutional court hearing, in Rome, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.
A view of the start of a constitutional court hearing, in Rome, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
From left, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi's lawyers Niccolo' Ghedini and  Piero Longo, wait for the start of a constitutional court hearing, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.
From left, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi's lawyers Niccolo' Ghedini and Piero Longo, wait for the start of a constitutional court hearing, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italian Constitutional Court president Francesco Amirante addresses the court during a hearing, in Rome, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.
Italian Constitutional Court president Francesco Amirante addresses the court during a hearing, in Rome, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
jagerhans
Oct 9, 2009 9:58 AM CDT
ur welcome pal
mehrheit
Oct 8, 2009 11:17 AM CDT
Thanks for answering my question! I usually read stories about Italy I when I come across them. My mom's family came from Naples, a couple of my great-great(-great?)uncles got busted+deported during prohibition and their families stayed in Italy, so I probably have a ton of cousins there that I don't know about. Maybe Silvio himself?!? LOL. Thanks again.
jagerhans
Oct 8, 2009 9:14 AM CDT
however it is hard to give a short account of the whole italian circus that is going on. but i want to gift you with a couple of final treats. 1) the crazed leader of the racist party 'north league' said that if the courts didn't pass the bill, he would summon his people to wreak havoc and claimed their descent from the 'Gauls' . Now we are all waiting his berserks to come. 2) in the morning berlusconi claimed he was sure to win, but later in the evening when he learned that the constitutional courts deleted his law he said he expected that 'cause those all judges are just a bunch of leftists'. you are missing some really amusing things if you don't follow italian internal affairs... differently from us you can take a big laugh on this hellish mess .

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