Berlusconi: Trials 'Laughable, Absurd'

Mario Monti faces gargantuan task

(NEWSER) - Silvio Berlusconi's conservative party is backing economist Mario Monti to put together a new coalition, leaving the man they call "professor" some outlandish shoes to fill and Italy's towering financial crisis to dig out of. And there's a catch: Monti's got to do it all ASAP, with the call for new elections nipping at his heels. The backing is tenuous, notes the AP , with Berlusconi's Freedom People party also warning Monti against appointing members of the opposition to the Cabinet. Nevertheless, for the time being, "We have given our willingness to Professor Monti," says the party chair. More»

...and, conveniently, end corruption cases against Berlusconi

(NEWSER) - Italy’s Senate today gave the green light to a bill that critics say is designed to quash the pending criminal cases against Silvio Berlusconi. The prime minister’s ample Senate majority passed the so-called “short trial” bill 163 to 130. The bill aims to speed up Italy’s ponderous justice system by putting a 6-1/2 to 10-year time limit on the legal process, depending on the severity of the crime. More»

Italian PM will have to stand trial for corruption

(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. More»

(NEWSER) - President Obama arrived this morning in Rome ahead of his first G8 summit. Obama is meeting privately with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and PM Silvio Berlusconi before traveling to L'Aquila, the earthquake-ravaged town that is hosting the international confab. The coming three days' talks will focus on climate change, foreign aid, Iran, and trade, reports the AP. More»

Polls suggest Berlusconi will win third term as PM

(NEWSER) - Italy will turn to a snap election in April to form a new government after 4 days of negotiations led by the speaker of the Senate failed to form an interim coalition. Parliament will be dissolved, and polls suggest that Silvio Berlusconi will win a third term as prime minister, Reuters reports. The new administration will be Italy's 62nd since World War II. More»