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Italian MPs approve immunity law | Italian MPs approve immunity law |
(4 days later) | |
Italy's parliament has given its final approval to a controversial immunity bill put forward by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government. | Italy's parliament has given its final approval to a controversial immunity bill put forward by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government. |
The bill was passed by 171 votes to 128 by the Senate. The lower house backed the measure earlier last month. | The bill was passed by 171 votes to 128 by the Senate. The lower house backed the measure earlier last month. |
The bill protects top public officials, including the prime minister, from prosecution while they are in office. | The bill protects top public officials, including the prime minister, from prosecution while they are in office. |
Critics say it is tailor-made for Mr Berlusconi, who faces a corruption trial. The PM says he is innocent. | Critics say it is tailor-made for Mr Berlusconi, who faces a corruption trial. The PM says he is innocent. |
The 71-year-old media tycoon has been charged numerous times for corruption, tax fraud and illegal party funding. | The 71-year-old media tycoon has been charged numerous times for corruption, tax fraud and illegal party funding. |
Mr Berlusconi - who has never been convicted - has criticised the court cases, saying they are a result of a witch-hunt against him by the judiciary. | Mr Berlusconi - who has never been convicted - has criticised the court cases, saying they are a result of a witch-hunt against him by the judiciary. |
'Endless' court hearings | 'Endless' court hearings |
The bill grants immunity to the incumbents of Italy's four highest state posts - the president, the prime minister and the speakers of both houses of parliament. | The bill grants immunity to the incumbents of Italy's four highest state posts - the president, the prime minister and the speakers of both houses of parliament. |
It must be signed by President Giorgio Napolitano before officially going into effect. | It must be signed by President Giorgio Napolitano before officially going into effect. |
The bill's supporters have argued that the amendment is needed to allow the top state officials to focus on doing their jobs - without legal destraction. | |
Mr Berlusconi currently faces a corruption case in Milan. | Mr Berlusconi currently faces a corruption case in Milan. |
The Italian prime minister also faces prosecution in Rome for alleged collusion between his Mediaset network and state broadcaster, Rai. | The Italian prime minister also faces prosecution in Rome for alleged collusion between his Mediaset network and state broadcaster, Rai. |
Mr Berlusconi claims that he has attended 2,500 court hearings, had 587 police visits and spent some 174m euros (£135m; $271m) in legal fees since entering the political scene 14 years ago. | Mr Berlusconi claims that he has attended 2,500 court hearings, had 587 police visits and spent some 174m euros (£135m; $271m) in legal fees since entering the political scene 14 years ago. |
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