Italy's Berlusconi hopes European court allows comeback

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Associated Press
NOVEMBER 22, 2017 09:43 AM
UPDATED 10 HOURS 47 MINUTES AGO

STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Lawyers for Silvio Berlusconi and the Italian government sparred Wednesday in Europe's human rights court in an unusual, high-profile case that could help the 81-year-old tycoon's attempted political comeback.

Berlusconi, the three-time Italian premier, says Italy's government violated his rights by barring him from public office over a tax fraud conviction. He is appealing to the European Court of Human Rights — though he's determined to weigh in on Italy's upcoming electoral campaign regardless of what the court decides.

"I hope the court quickly takes up my appeal," Berlusconi told La Repubblica on Wednesday, when the Strasbourg, France-based court held its first hearing in the case. "But my role in the next campaign is clear: Independent of my ability to run, I will be campaigning for the center-right to lead the country."

Berlusconi, who has emerged from the political shadows in the run-up to the 2018 elections, has asked Italy's president to delay holding general elections until late spring in hopes that the court will make a decision in time to allow him to run on his Forza Italia ticket.

Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/business/article185985878.html

[Golden Raisin]

1. Italy has suffered enough and does not

need more Berlusconi bunga-bunga parties.

[Astraea]

2. Because it isn't enough to have EVERYTHING already

Like Trump, you need to be a king, too.

[marylandblue]

3. Bruce Springsteen said it

Poor men want to be rich
Rich men want to be king
And a king ain't satisfied
Until he rules over everything.

[mpcamb]

4. Given the current political climate, this is really ill-timed, Silvio.

His political sleeze quotient is trumpian.