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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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11

Berlusconi: I'm Not Going Anywhere

Italian PM defiant as multiple criminal cases reopen

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(Newser) – Silvio Berlusconi, fighting for his political life after a court ruled he was not immune from criminal prosecution, called the ruling politically motivated and vowed to stay on as Italy's prime minister. Already weakened by sex scandals, Berlusconi will now face at least two trials, one concerning witness tampering and the other tax fraud. "I will go on. We must govern for five years, with or without the law," he said. And then, raising a clenched fist: "Viva Italia, viva Berlusconi!"

Berlusconi's approval rating hovers around 50%—not bad for a man tied up in so many scandals and leading one of Europe's most sluggish economies. Political analysts say that the prime minister, already weakened by this summer's prostitution revelations, will be even less inclined to bring forward desperately needed economic reform. "He was already a lame duck," one professor tells Reuters. "Now he will be less inclined or able to focus on any reform effort."

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, left, gestures, as he leaves the Palazzo Grazioli residence surrounded by bodyguards and aides in Rome yesterday.
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, left, gestures, as he leaves the Palazzo Grazioli residence surrounded by bodyguards and aides in Rome yesterday.   (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
A top Italian court yesterday overturned a law granting Silvio Berlusconi immunity from prosecution, allowing prosecutors to resume a corruption trial that could increase pressure on him to resign.
A top Italian court yesterday overturned a law granting Silvio Berlusconi immunity from prosecution, allowing prosecutors to resume a corruption trial that could increase pressure on him to resign.   (AP Photo/Sandro Pace)
Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi gestures as he delivers a speech at a meeting in Milan, Italy, last month.
Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi gestures as he delivers a speech at a meeting in Milan, Italy, last month.   (AP Photo/Alberto Pellaschiar)
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11 comments
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Unaffiliated
Oct 8, 09 8:30 AM CDT
Wow, this guy has palle ("balls" for those who don't parla Italiano). I hope the Italian people will be rid of this fiend soon. Reply
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cochiserocks
Oct 8, 09 9:26 AM CDT
For the SECOND time - the guys palle are so huge - he's played this all out before - years ago - and still came back. Maybe the guy is starting to think of himself as Il Duce?! Italy doesn't need this crap - it's like the last days of the old have to be played out before they can start some serious economic, political and social modernisation.
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IN RESPONSE:
jagerhans
Oct 9, 09 6:57 AM CDT
più che avere le palle è un coglione.
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George_Taylor
Oct 8, 09 9:31 AM CDT
he promises he never paid for a woman, and that he doubts there is another statesman as good as he is. Which may just be ego talk, but do Italians like other Italians? Nope, and his 50% approval counts for something far reached and hard to replicate by constant quarrelling Italy. Reply
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LibertyMan
Oct 8, 09 9:44 AM CDT
I doubt the lib-socialists posting their viral hate for the PM here would be doing so if he were say, President Chavez, who has had similar public personal battles or the child rapist President Danny Ortega. Thier feigned outrage seems limited to conservative public figures with whom they have policy differences. Big surprise there. Reply
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