Prime Minister of Italy Mr. Silvio Berlusconi, who has been a very controversial figure not only in the Italian but in the European politics today lost his immunity. The Constitutional Court of Italy today ruled by nine votes to six that the Award Alfano law undermines the principle of equality before the law.
The Telegraph reports that "Mr Berlusconi is accused of paying his British former tax lawyer, David Mills, 600,000 dollars (400,000 euros) to give false evidence in two trials in the 1990s.
"Mills was convicted in February of accepting the payment in a ruling that he is appealing. Another pending case against Mr Berlusconi involves allegations that his Mediaset television empire overcharged for broadcasting rights. The Alfano law passed a few weeks after Mr Berlusconi took power last year with a comfortable majority in parliament."
The first consequence of the decision taken this afternoon by the judges in Rome is that the proceedings against the prime minister Berlusconi on corruption, tax fraud, misappropriation and false balance sheet will be resumed. Among them is the trial for the alleged payment of € 580,000 to British lawyer David Mills to falsify his testimony in two trials held in 1997 and 1998 against Bush. The second process, also suspended, is related to alleged irregularities in the sale of television rights of his media group Mediaset.
Risk of resignation.
Berlusconi's reaction to the panel decision was quick. He accused the high court of being "leftist" and declared, proudly, that he will continue his job. However, despite enthusiastic claims, the court ruling could have dire consequences for the Government. The possibility of the resignation of 'Il Cavaliere' is not entirely ruled out and there are those who whisper in the corridors of the Chigi Palace, headquarters of the leadership of government, that elections could be now coming in the third week of March, the date on which regional elections will take place.
While Berlusconi has been a controversial figure in the Italian politics, he remains the longest serving prime minister in the resent 60 years of Italy. Some say his government has been the most effective. On the other hand, one thing is clear. as the Alfano law is gone, the entire Italy is betting on Berlusconi's future.
Written by Armen Hareyan
Materials from The Telegraph, Larioja and AP are used in this report.
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