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Berlusconi will finally make it
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I love it when politicians modify the law so that they are above the law. This law really fits my opinion of Berlusconi
Berlusconi on brink of immunity
The Italian parliament is set to give final approval to a law which would make make Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi immune from prosecution as long as he holds the job.
The decision, expected in the lower house of parliament, would almost certainly kill off a current corruption trial in Milan, at which Mr Berlusconi gave evidence on Tuesday.
The immunity law has already been approved by the upper house of parliament, the Senate, and is not expected to face any hurdles in the lower house, where Mr Burlusconi holds a comfortable majority.
The law bans any court proceedings against the holders of Italy's five most senior posts as long as they remain in office.
"It is not intended to suspend the trials once and for all, but to enable the top state officials to mount a better, calmer and thorough defence"
Francesco Nitto Palma
Forza Italia magistrate
It has been rushed through parliament in a move which critics say is designed solely to save Mr Berlusconi from facing a verdict in the trial.
The timing could have been particularly embarrassing, as Mr Berlusconi is about to lead Italy into its six-month presidency of the European Union.
If the bill is passed as expected, the Milan corruption trial will have to be halted until Mr Berlusconi has left office.
By then, too much time will have elapsed for a resumption to be legally possible. His current term of office runs out in 2006, but he may seek re-election.
In the Milan case, Mr Berlusconi is accused of trying to bribe judges to stop a business rival taking over state-owned food group SME in the 1980s.
Mr Berlusconi told the court yesterday that the charges against him were "fantasy".
A decision in parliament is expected later on Wednesday.
Italy's opposition parties are furious at the immunity plan, describing it as unconstitutional.
But supporters of the law say it makes Italian law similar to that in many other countries, and merely restores rights which were removed in the "Clean Hands" anti-corruption drive a decade ago.
"It is not intended to suspend the trials once and for all, but to enable the top state officials to mount a better, calmer and thorough defence" if they do go to court, said Francesco Nitto Palma, a magistrate and supporter of Mr Berlusconi's Forza Italia party.
Court challenge?
The opposition might take its case to Italy's Constitutional Court, but any ruling would take months to make.
Under the law, magistrates can investigate allegations against the five top figures, but cannot bring them to trial.
As well as the prime minister, the law also covers the president, the speakers in both houses of parliament and the president of Italy's constitutional court.
Mr Berlusconi is Italy's richest man, heading a multi-billion euro empire that encompasses broadcasting, banking, publishing and the AC Milan football club.
He says the corruption case in Milan is part of a left-wing campaign.
He likened the proceedings against him to a murder trial with missing key components.
"There is no body here, there is no murder weapon, there is no motive," he said.
Story from BBC NEWS:
The Italian parliament is set to give final approval to a law which would make make Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi immune from prosecution as long as he holds the job.
The decision, expected in the lower house of parliament, would almost certainly kill off a current corruption trial in Milan, at which Mr Berlusconi gave evidence on Tuesday.
The immunity law has already been approved by the upper house of parliament, the Senate, and is not expected to face any hurdles in the lower house, where Mr Burlusconi holds a comfortable majority.
The law bans any court proceedings against the holders of Italy's five most senior posts as long as they remain in office.
"It is not intended to suspend the trials once and for all, but to enable the top state officials to mount a better, calmer and thorough defence"
Francesco Nitto Palma
Forza Italia magistrate
It has been rushed through parliament in a move which critics say is designed solely to save Mr Berlusconi from facing a verdict in the trial.
The timing could have been particularly embarrassing, as Mr Berlusconi is about to lead Italy into its six-month presidency of the European Union.
If the bill is passed as expected, the Milan corruption trial will have to be halted until Mr Berlusconi has left office.
By then, too much time will have elapsed for a resumption to be legally possible. His current term of office runs out in 2006, but he may seek re-election.
In the Milan case, Mr Berlusconi is accused of trying to bribe judges to stop a business rival taking over state-owned food group SME in the 1980s.
Mr Berlusconi told the court yesterday that the charges against him were "fantasy".
A decision in parliament is expected later on Wednesday.
Italy's opposition parties are furious at the immunity plan, describing it as unconstitutional.
But supporters of the law say it makes Italian law similar to that in many other countries, and merely restores rights which were removed in the "Clean Hands" anti-corruption drive a decade ago.
"It is not intended to suspend the trials once and for all, but to enable the top state officials to mount a better, calmer and thorough defence" if they do go to court, said Francesco Nitto Palma, a magistrate and supporter of Mr Berlusconi's Forza Italia party.
Court challenge?
The opposition might take its case to Italy's Constitutional Court, but any ruling would take months to make.
Under the law, magistrates can investigate allegations against the five top figures, but cannot bring them to trial.
As well as the prime minister, the law also covers the president, the speakers in both houses of parliament and the president of Italy's constitutional court.
Mr Berlusconi is Italy's richest man, heading a multi-billion euro empire that encompasses broadcasting, banking, publishing and the AC Milan football club.
He says the corruption case in Milan is part of a left-wing campaign.
He likened the proceedings against him to a murder trial with missing key components.
"There is no body here, there is no murder weapon, there is no motive," he said.
Story from BBC NEWS:
I love it when politicians modify the law so that they are above the law. This law really fits my opinion of Berlusconi
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