Power struggle in Italy around Berlusconi

In the last two weeks, Berlusconi has received two particularly severe setbacks, one of which directly threatens him personally: On October 7, the Constitutional Court in Rome overturned the immunity law, which had been introduced by Berlusconi himself when he took office.

The so-called “Lex Berlusconi” provides immunity to the four highest state representatives during their terms of office. However, it was particularly meant to protect Berlusconi. As a result, several criminal proceedings—including cases of bribery and tax evasion—are no longer being pursued, with the possibility that they may then fall under the statute of limitations. The court has now repealed the immunity law on the grounds it is unconstitutional.

Berlusconi must now anticipate that the legal proceedings against him will be swiftly reinstated. Reacting indignantly to the Constitutional Court decision, he called the verdict a “farce,” insulted the court and personally attacked state President Giorgio Napolitano (a former Italian Communist Party member) after Napolitano expressed his respect for the judgement. The president, the judges and the media were all “in the hands of the left,” Berlusconi raged. When Napolitano protested, Berlusconi retorted that he was not interested in what the president had to say.

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