untitled design (1)

Learn Italian online

Berlusconi is Out of Italy’s Parliament

Berlusconi expulsion vote

The voting was not overly clear, but the result is: Silvio Berlusconi has been expelled from Italy’s senate. The voting: 192 yes votes, 113 no, and 2 abstentions. Last minute attempts were made to delay the vote but the filibustering failed.

Despite being stripped of his seat, Berlusconi vowed today in front of his supporters in Rome to battle on, whether in or out of Italy’s parliament. He may be out of parliament as a result of his conviction for tax fraud, but he says he’s not out of politics, unless, that is, he’s arrested. In any event, Berlusconi, 77, cannot stand for election for 6 years as things stand at present.

There’s a small chance today’s result may be overturned should the European Court of Human Rights find in his favour, but for now, Berlusconi has been assassinated politically, as he himself put it.

Technically, all Italy’s senate has done is to remove a convicted criminal from its ranks. Doing so, claimed one of Berlusconi’s supporters, would set a dangerous precedent – indeed, a dangerous precedent for convicted criminals.

think in italian logo dark bg 1

Stop reading, start speaking

Stop translating in your head and start speaking Italian for real with the only audio course that prompt you to speak.

For once, the rule of law presided over the rule of politics in Italy. It was a good day for honest Italians.

Now Berlusconi is out, maybe Italy can introduce some much needed, concrete, reforms. We’ll see.

The reaction of Italy’s financial markets tomorrow will be interesting, as will the effect of Berlusconi’s removal on the dreaded spread.

 

Most Popular

Apple iPhone 4 in Italy in July

Most will now know that Apple has launched the latest incarnation of its iconic much-more-than-a-mobile-phone iPhone – the iPhone 4 or should that be iPhone 4g? It sounds as though Steve Jobs’ latest and greatest is a real technological jewel too.

Italian Senator Saved from Arrest

It’s like bad old Berlusconi times. Today, and after a parliamentary commission recommended his arrest, Senator Antonio Azzollini’s skin

Categories

Related Posts

Beppe Grillo

Stop reading, start speaking Stop translating in your head and start speaking Italian for real with the only audio course that prompt you to speak.