Highlights
– July 22, 2008 Italian MP’s pass controversial immunity law
– Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi gains reprieve from previous corruption charges
– Italians appear apathetic toward corruption scandal, seek answers for coming economic recession
On July 22, 2008 Italian MP’s came to a decision concerning a controversial bill that would provide protection for Italian Prime Minister (PM) Silvio Berlusconi from the onslaught of a corruption scandal. Parliament gave its final approval to an immunity bill put forward by the PM’s government. The bill was passed with a ratio of 171 votes to 128 by the Senate and was previously supported by the lower house in early July 2008.
The controversial bill protects Italy’s public officials, to include PM Berlusconi, from prosecution throughout the duration of his/her time in public office. Despite never seeing a conviction, PM Berlusconi has been charged several times for violations including corruption, tax fraud, and illegal political party funding.
Despite the approval of the controversial bill, many Italians appear apathetic toward it, turning their attention away from political scandal surrounding the PM to the country’s coming recession. To this end, Italians are looking to PM Berlusconi to find a viable solution to economic woes facing the country.
Parliament Passes Controversial Immunity Law
On July 22, 2008 Italian Parliament passed a controversial immunity law aimed at protecting Italian public officials from legal action while serving the state. The bill passed in the Senate and was previously approved in the lower house in July 2008 and grants immunity to incumbents of the country’s top four public posts, to include: the President, the Prime Minister, and speakers of both houses of parliament.
Critics of the bill assert it is tailor-made for PM Berlusconi, currently facing an intense corruption trial. The third-term Italian PM faces charges of corruption, tax fraud, and illegal political party funding. However, supporters tout the amendment is needed to permit public officials time to focus on their jobs, without legal distractions.
Economy Slows; Citizens Look to Berlusconi
As we previously reported, following the announcement of his third-term re-election win in April 2008, PM Berlusconi declared an aggressive agenda, targeting Italy’s stagnating economy, controversial immigration policies, and an ongoing battle of wills in the Italian city of Naples (Previous Report). To date, PM Berlusconi has been successful in his at times, unconventional, efforts to stave off increased immigration and resolve the garbage crisis in Naples (Previous Report). However, seeking to solve the country’s growing economic concerns remains a challenge.
Given the country’s economic situation, and looming stagnation, citizens appear disinterested in potential corrupt activities undertaken by the PM, opting instead to look to him for much-needed answers. Commenting on Italy’s “state of mind,” Jonathan Hopkin of the London School of Economics, opinions, “As long as Italy is struggling economically, people are more bothered about someone who seems to have the answers than the rule of law.”
Outlook
Despite receiving a temporary reprieve from his legal woes, as we previously reported, due to widespread opposition and the growing global economic downturn, we believe Berlusconi will fall short of his goals to effect wide-reaching economic reforms in the country (Previous Report). Italy’s consumer confidence index continues to decline, falling to its lowest level in 15 years during July 2008. Additionally, Italy currently holds the position of the slowest growing nation in the euro zone.