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Berlusconi immunity law overruled Berlusconi immunity law overruled
(about 1 hour later)
Italy's highest court has overturned a law granting Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi immunity from prosecution while in office. Italy's constitutional court has overturned a law granting Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi immunity from prosecution while in office.
The Constitutional Court annulled the law, which had allowed him to withdraw from several cases. In one he was facing corruption charges. The move opens the possibility that Mr Berlusconi could stand trial in at least three court cases, including one in which he is accused of corruption.
Opponents say immunity violates the principle that all citizens are equal. The judges said immunity violated the principle that all citizens were equal.
A spokesman for Mr Berlusconi said the verdict was "politically motivated" and insisted he would not resign. Mr Berlusconi said he had expected the ruling as the court was made up of left-wing judges, and would not resign.
"Berlusconi, the government and the majority will continue to govern," spokesman Paolo Bonaiuti said. "We must govern for five years with or without the law," he told reporters outside his residence in Rome.
The prime minister said any trial involving him would be a "farce".
'Distractions''Distractions'
There has been speculation in Italy that at least two court cases against the prime minister could resume if the law was annulled.
The BBC's Duncan Kennedy, in Rome, says the news has stunned Italy, where he has widespread public support, although that has dipped in recent times.The BBC's Duncan Kennedy, in Rome, says the news has stunned Italy, where he has widespread public support, although that has dipped in recent times.
ANALYSIS Duncan KennedyBBC News, Rome Politically it's not quite clear what might happen now. It all depends on Mr Berlusconi himself, who has said in the past day or so that he would not resign if the cases went against him. Coalition partners the Northern League have spoken of mobilising their forces if Mr Berlusconi were to lose this case. They have not yet clarified their position on that - whether that would mean they would pull out from the coalition, sparking elections. We will wait to see. The opposition have already called on Mr Berlusconi to resign if he loses this case although they are very weak and fragmented and don't have the same power as Mr Berlusconi's coalition partners.ANALYSIS Duncan KennedyBBC News, Rome Politically it's not quite clear what might happen now. It all depends on Mr Berlusconi himself, who has said in the past day or so that he would not resign if the cases went against him. Coalition partners the Northern League have spoken of mobilising their forces if Mr Berlusconi were to lose this case. They have not yet clarified their position on that - whether that would mean they would pull out from the coalition, sparking elections. We will wait to see. The opposition have already called on Mr Berlusconi to resign if he loses this case although they are very weak and fragmented and don't have the same power as Mr Berlusconi's coalition partners.
The opposition has already called on him to step down, although it remains unclear how Mr Berlusconi's coalition partners will react, our correspondent says.The opposition has already called on him to step down, although it remains unclear how Mr Berlusconi's coalition partners will react, our correspondent says.
When Mr Berlusconi came to office he was facing at least three court cases, including one involving the British lawyer David Mills.When Mr Berlusconi came to office he was facing at least three court cases, including one involving the British lawyer David Mills.
In that case Mr Berlusconi was accused of bribing him to give false evidence.In that case Mr Berlusconi was accused of bribing him to give false evidence.
Mills, who said he was innocent, was sentenced in February to four years and six months in prison for corruption.Mills, who said he was innocent, was sentenced in February to four years and six months in prison for corruption.
Mr Berlusconi and his lawyers had argued that he needed the immunity law to carry out his duties as prime minister, our correspondent says.Mr Berlusconi and his lawyers had argued that he needed the immunity law to carry out his duties as prime minister, our correspondent says.
The appeal to the Constitutional Court was launched by prosecutors including those from the Mills case.The appeal to the Constitutional Court was launched by prosecutors including those from the Mills case.
They contended that immunity put Mr Berlusconi above the law and needed to be reversed.They contended that immunity put Mr Berlusconi above the law and needed to be reversed.
Mr Berlusconi argued that immunity allowed him to govern without being "distracted" by the judiciary.Mr Berlusconi argued that immunity allowed him to govern without being "distracted" by the judiciary.
Are you in Italy? What is your reaction to the Constitutional Court's ruling? What will be the implications of the decision? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Italy? What is your reaction to the Constitutional Court's ruling? What will be the implications of the decision? Send us your comments using the form below.
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