Allies of Silvio Berlusconi reacted angrily yesterday after Italian president Giorgio Napolitano left the centre-right leader, who risks being ejected from parliament after a tax fraud conviction, off a list of new lifetime senators.
Mr Napolitano had been pressed by members of Mr Berlusconi’s People of Liberty party to grant their leader the honour bestowed on former heads of state and on distinguished personalities in the arts and sciences.
However, in a move that sends a clear political message to Mr Berlusconi that he will receive no special treatment, Mr Napolitano kept him off a list of four life senators named just a week before voting starts on whether to strip Mr Berlusconi of his parliamentary seat under a law passed last year.
The appointees enjoy the full powers and privileges of being a politician for life – including some legal immunity – meaning he could continue to wield influence after being found guilty and sentenced to four years of house arrest or public service that was commuted to one year. – (Reuters)