GetPublished 's Economist of January 20, 2011 (translation from Italy from abroad): The festive
CETTO THE ANY is a corrupt and hopelessly vulgar contractor in Calabria, the toe of Italy oppressed by the mafia. It 'just came back from a run period for running for mayor of his native town, Marina di Sopra, afflicted with bullets and left twinned with Weimar. Unlike Martin Luther King says "I have a dream ... but I like it or pilu" [dialect word to indicate the female sex]. The Mr. Whatever, central character of the new film "any" is an invention. But this week, suddenly, it seemed terribly real.
On 17 January, Milan prosecutors submitted to Parliament a dossier on the statements, reports and transcripts of wiretaps that have painted an extremely bleak scenario much as it is only in the much-publicized comedies. Do not miss the orgies held at the home of the President of the Italian Council Silvio Berlusconi, involving a half-naked women over 20, and a room for the sessions to the participants as "Bunga Bunga", equipped for a lap dance with a closet full of uniforms striminizite by nurses and policewomen. The booklet summarizes
an 'investigation, which is perhaps the biggest threat so far for Berlusconi and his conservative government in power for three years. On 14 January the Prime Minister learned that he was formally placed under investigation on suspicion of two crimes: they have paid for sex with an underage prostitute and abuse of power, for trying to hide the affair. The alleged prostitute and Karim el-Mahroug (known as Ruby) on the run from Morocco. According to the dossier sent to Rome because investigators need parliamentary approval to carry out crucial research office, Ms el-Mahroug was a guest of Berlusconi's villa near Milan eight times in 2010. When, last May he was taken to a police station on charges of theft, was given to a member of the Prime Minister, following a call from his office. Investigators believe they have enough evidence to indict Mr Berlusconi, without pre-trial hearing. It could also be on trial in May.
The solution to this crisis that it may be suggested in most other countries has been categorically excluded from the President Council on January 18. "Resign?" He asked reporters, "Are you crazy?" Once again, seems determined not to address the criticism that public figures would convince more normal withdrawal, perhaps in a monastery. This is the seventh sex scandal in which Berlusconi was personally involved. But, as demonstrated by the previous, the mechanisms that drive the politicians do not really apply anywhere else in Italy, at least not for Berlusconi.
Most of the leaders of other countries are convinced, by their own followers and for the good of the party "to go before all the accusations come to court. But when, in 2005, an electoral law introduced by the previous Berlusconi government, made entirely dependent on the Italian parliament for re-election of their leader, who decides where to place the candidates on party lists, this type of rebellion is almost impossible to organize. This is particularly true in the People of Freedom (PDL), a movement founded by the Prime Minister, many of whose members owe their political career to Berlusconi.
After surviving this past year, two motions of no confidence by the opposition, the main vulnerability of the prime minister seems more due to the desertion of the allies of the Northern League in the PDL. So far they have remained loyal, even if part of the mission original League was clean public life. But the government is now so constrained by the fiscal reforms to ensure that the Northern League leader, Umberto Bossi, as the advertised price of continued support. Unless you withdraw support, the only way that could topple the prime minister seems to be courts. And this is a potentially tortuous path, marked by side outlets from which Berlusconi might again escape easily.
To begin with, his lawyers argue that the Milan prosecutor's office has no right to investigate alleged offenses, since Berlusconi's villa outside the jurisdictional boundaries of the city (as well as the home of the official Police who responded to the call from his office and led to the release of Mrs el-Mahroug's). They also noted that Mr Berlusconi and his young friend have both denied having had sex and they say that there is no conclusive evidence showing the opposite, not to mention the payout. Reports on the sessions for "Bunga Bunga" include many alleged obscenity, but not talking specifically about sex.
The accusation that the prime minister has abused his power may be easier to prove and carries a heavier maximum penalty (12 years versus three for having sex with a young prostitute). But lawyers Berlusconi, could argue that a prosecution would require the decision of a special court approval of the Chamber of Deputies.
remain two major issues due to this uncertain situation. One is that the government, who could not do much in the last two years because of its leaders repeatedly distracted by the problems he himself created, it will remain inert for months to come, regardless of the economic problems of Italy. The second risk, perhaps more, which was suggested by Berlusconi this week, is that he might seek a new mandate to crush the independence of the judiciary in an election that could threaten the foundations of old 150 years of his country. Poor Italy.
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