Feature

Will Silvio Berlusconi ever give up?

Italy's prime minister shrugs it off when a high court overturns a law protecting him from corruption charges

It was "a bad day for Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi," said The New York Times in an editorial, when Italy's highest court on Wednesday "overturned an outrageous law" granting Berlusconi immunity from prosecution while in office. But it was "a good day for Italian democracy," because no nation can afford to have its justice system hijacked to shield one man from corruption charges.

My money's still on Berlusconi, said Fortune's Stanley Bing in The Huffington Post. The drive that made him rich helps him brush off setbacks that would destroy lesser politicians. "Sex scandals? He eats them for breakfast. Allegations of impropriety? It's all a Rupert Murduochian plot!" And his reaction the the threat of prosecution? Berlusconi simply accused the court of liberal bias and vowed to "govern for five more years with or without the law."

Berlusconi's response definitely shows Italy's troubles are far from over, said Paul Taylor in Reuters. The prime minister arrogantly told his countrymen, "Without Silvio, the country would be in the hands of the left"—which sounded eerily like Richard Nixon's parting, "You won't have Nixon to kick around anymore." Beware when powerful politicians start referring to themselves in the third person—in the cases of Nixon and Berlusconi, both believe they were "victims of persecution," and acted like their power was meant to be "used implacably against enemies."

Recommended

Will Moscow drone attacks turn Russians against Putin?
A building damaged by a drone attack in Moscow
Talking point

Will Moscow drone attacks turn Russians against Putin?

Uganda's 'shameful' new anti-gay law
Protesters against Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill
Global lens

Uganda's 'shameful' new anti-gay law

War under the sea
A nuclear-powered U.S. Navy submarine
Briefing

War under the sea

Xi Jinping tells national security team to prepare for 'worst-case scenario'
Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Chinese Troubles

Xi Jinping tells national security team to prepare for 'worst-case scenario'

Most Popular

Why are so many boomers homeless?
Homeless person and tents
Today's big question

Why are so many boomers homeless?

Xi Jinping tells national security team to prepare for 'worst-case scenario'
Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Chinese Troubles

Xi Jinping tells national security team to prepare for 'worst-case scenario'

Fossils uncovered in Australia are 107 million-year-old pterosaurs bones, scientists say
Reconstruction of Australian pterosaur.
ptero-sighting

Fossils uncovered in Australia are 107 million-year-old pterosaurs bones, scientists say