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Silvio Berlusconi was sentenced to seven years in jail and a life ban from holding public office after he was found guilty of underage prostitution and bribery by a Milan court in the most damaging legal blow yet to the former prime minister reports Corriere.
The sentence in the so-called “Rubygate” trial exceeds the six years sought by the prosecutor’s office and was branded “violent” by Berlusconi, who may now withdraw his party’s support for the coalition government led by Enrico Letta (Democratic Party, PD). The daily adds he may also exploit his claim that he was convicted by “communist judges” to campaign for early elections.
Meanwhile the government has been further weakened by the resignation of equality and sports minister Josefa Idem (PD), amid claims she avoided paying taxes on her house.
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