The Italian Senate has approved a new decree which critics of Silvio Berlusconi, the Prime Minister, say is "tailor made" to save him from a possible prison sentence for corruption. Mr Berlusconi claims his "security package" fulfils a campaign promise he made in April's election to crack down on crime, and denies it will apply to his own case. It now passes for a final vote to the Lower House, where he has a commanding majority and approval is a formality. However, Italy's centre-left opposition claimed the main purpose of the decree was to help Mr Berlusconi evade corruption charges. A key clause suspends for a year trials for alleged crimes committed before mid-2002, with the exception of those involving violence, Mafia-related offences, and those carrying a jail sentence of more than 10 years. Mr Berlusconi and his supporters say this is aimed at overhauling Italy's overburdened judiciary and clearing a trial backlog. A recent opinion poll in La Repubblica showed only 35 per cent of the public have faith in the notoriously slow and inefficient Italian judicial system.
The Italian Senate has approved a new decree which critics of Silvio Berlusconi, the Prime Minister, say is "tailor made" to save him from a possible prison sentence for corruption.
Mr Berlusconi claims his "security package" fulfils a campaign promise he made in April's election to crack down on crime, and denies it will apply to his own case. It now passes for a final vote to the Lower House, where he has a commanding majority and approval is a formality.
However, Italy's centre-left opposition claimed the main purpose of the decree was to help Mr Berlusconi evade corruption charges. A key clause suspends for a year trials for alleged crimes committed before mid-2002, with the exception of those involving violence, Mafia-related offences, and those carrying a jail sentence of more than 10 years.
Mr Berlusconi and his supporters say this is aimed at overhauling Italy's overburdened judiciary and clearing a trial backlog. A recent opinion poll in La Repubblica showed only 35 per cent of the public have faith in the notoriously slow and inefficient Italian judicial system.
"I am more worried about the interests of Berlusconi that the greetings fascists" Question. Are you worried about the Italian political scene? Answer. Yes, I am worried. I did not say very worried, but certainly I know what I will say if you call me again in a few months.
Question. Are you worried about the Italian political scene? Answer. Yes, I am worried. I did not say very worried, but certainly I know what I will say if you call me again in a few months.
Prophetic. But this was so obvious! When Procrustes looks after you, you're sure to fit in.
Today Berlusconi was louldy contested by the assembly of the Commerce Federation (Confesercenti)as he once again attacked judges as a "cancerous metastasis" within (his peculiar brand of)"democracy."
As for la Repubblica's survey one might observe that were one to ask churchgoers if hell existed, one must not be surprised by the answers. A breakdown of the population sample would be illuminating: There is a minority of people whose opinions are not formed by watching Berlusconi's televisions.
Simply put, there is no crime emergency in Italy. There is no reason for this security package. The only emergency is Berlusconi's personal interest to beat the rap.
