Berlusconi pledges to stay in politics
Source: Agencies |
October 28, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FORMER Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi appeared to have done an about-face yesterday, vowing to stay in front-line Italian politics after a Milan court sentenced him to four years in jail for tax fraud related to his media empire.
Berlusconi's surprise decision to remain in politics comes just three days after the four-time prime minister said he would not seek the premiership again.
"There doubtless will be consequences," Berlusconi told an Italian television interviewer, referring to the conviction, which, however, will not be enforced until all appeals are exhausted - a process that could take years.
"I feel obliged to stay in the field to reform the justice system so that what happened to me does not happen to other citizens," he told Italy's Channel Five television.
Berlusconi was convicted of inflating the price paid for TV rights via offshore companies controlled by Berlusconi and skimming off part of the money to create illegal slush funds.
The comments by Berlusconi - who has gone back and forth many times in the past on what his political future held - were met with derision by his foes.
"Today's statement is different from yesterday's. We are waiting to see what tomorrow's will be like," said Gianfranco Fini, speaker of the lower house of parliament, who broke with Berlusconi after a bitter row.
It was not clear if Berlusconi, now a member of the lower house of parliament, meant to run for high office again or stay on as an unelected political force of the center-right.
Berlusconi was to hold a news conference later yesterday.
Berlusconi's surprise decision to remain in politics comes just three days after the four-time prime minister said he would not seek the premiership again.
"There doubtless will be consequences," Berlusconi told an Italian television interviewer, referring to the conviction, which, however, will not be enforced until all appeals are exhausted - a process that could take years.
"I feel obliged to stay in the field to reform the justice system so that what happened to me does not happen to other citizens," he told Italy's Channel Five television.
Berlusconi was convicted of inflating the price paid for TV rights via offshore companies controlled by Berlusconi and skimming off part of the money to create illegal slush funds.
The comments by Berlusconi - who has gone back and forth many times in the past on what his political future held - were met with derision by his foes.
"Today's statement is different from yesterday's. We are waiting to see what tomorrow's will be like," said Gianfranco Fini, speaker of the lower house of parliament, who broke with Berlusconi after a bitter row.
It was not clear if Berlusconi, now a member of the lower house of parliament, meant to run for high office again or stay on as an unelected political force of the center-right.
Berlusconi was to hold a news conference later yesterday.
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