Berlusconi gets tough in fight to stay free
Source: Agencies |
November 9, 2009, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A NEWSPAPER close to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi issued an ultimatum to his allies yesterday, saying they must back laws shielding him from court trials or risk a government collapse.
Il Giornale, an indicator of Berlusconi's moods and discontent, said the next few days could be "a week of passion" for the coalition and could lead to the government's resignation and early general elections.
The banner front-page headline of Il Giornale, owned by Berlusconi's brother Paolo, read: "Berlusconi's Ultimatum: Those who don't agree are out of the PDL," referring to his People of Freedom coalition.
It added that Berlusconi's allies must commit themselves to "protecting the prime minister from the judicial offensive against him" otherwise "the government will resign and there will be new elections."
Berlusconi, who lost his immunity from prosecution last month, has often shown his fury against the judicial system.
He has been in combative mode since Italy's top court ruled that his protection from prosecution while in office violated the constitution. It overturned a law passed by his government which critics denounced as tailor-made to protect him.
Since the ruling, Berlusconi's lawyers have been working overtime on a project to reform Italy's snail-paced judicial system, a reform that critics say would once again shield him from prosecution by blocking a number of his trials.
According to reports in major newspapers, Berlusconi wants to present legislation to parliament that would put time limits on the three stages of court cases in Italy: initial trial, first appeal and final appeal.
According to one proposal, all three stages would have to take place within six years or a blanket statute of limitations would kick in and the cases would be declared null.
While Italians want a reform of a notoriously inefficient judicial system, the opposition says Berlusconi's real aim is to regain his own immunity.
"Berlusconi doesn't want trials to move fast. He wants the certainty of impunity," said Antonio Di Pietro, a former anti-graft magistrate and leader of a small opposition party.
Justice Minister Angelino Alfano has denied the government is preparing something tailor-made for Berlusconi.
Il Giornale, an indicator of Berlusconi's moods and discontent, said the next few days could be "a week of passion" for the coalition and could lead to the government's resignation and early general elections.
The banner front-page headline of Il Giornale, owned by Berlusconi's brother Paolo, read: "Berlusconi's Ultimatum: Those who don't agree are out of the PDL," referring to his People of Freedom coalition.
It added that Berlusconi's allies must commit themselves to "protecting the prime minister from the judicial offensive against him" otherwise "the government will resign and there will be new elections."
Berlusconi, who lost his immunity from prosecution last month, has often shown his fury against the judicial system.
He has been in combative mode since Italy's top court ruled that his protection from prosecution while in office violated the constitution. It overturned a law passed by his government which critics denounced as tailor-made to protect him.
Since the ruling, Berlusconi's lawyers have been working overtime on a project to reform Italy's snail-paced judicial system, a reform that critics say would once again shield him from prosecution by blocking a number of his trials.
According to reports in major newspapers, Berlusconi wants to present legislation to parliament that would put time limits on the three stages of court cases in Italy: initial trial, first appeal and final appeal.
According to one proposal, all three stages would have to take place within six years or a blanket statute of limitations would kick in and the cases would be declared null.
While Italians want a reform of a notoriously inefficient judicial system, the opposition says Berlusconi's real aim is to regain his own immunity.
"Berlusconi doesn't want trials to move fast. He wants the certainty of impunity," said Antonio Di Pietro, a former anti-graft magistrate and leader of a small opposition party.
Justice Minister Angelino Alfano has denied the government is preparing something tailor-made for Berlusconi.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 娌狪CP璇侊細娌狪CP澶05050403鍙-1
- |
- 浜掕仈缃戞柊闂讳俊鎭湇鍔¤鍙瘉锛31120180004
- |
- 缃戠粶瑙嗗惉璁稿彲璇侊細0909346
- |
- 骞挎挱鐢佃鑺傜洰鍒朵綔璁稿彲璇侊細娌瓧绗354鍙
- |
- 澧炲肩數淇′笟鍔＄粡钀ヨ鍙瘉锛氭勃B2-20120012
Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
