The Houdini of Italian Politics Does it Again

In what could be the final dramatic event in a corruption case that has enthralled Italy, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi turned the Milan courtroom where he was defending himself into a circus by lashing out at the prosecution and delivering a ranting statement that likened the proceedings to a murder trial without evidence.

The premier, making only his second appearance in the court since the three-year trial started, made a lengthy statement on his own behalf but refused to answer any questions as he was "running late." The prime minister had been called before the court on numerous other occasions over the course of the trial but had failed to show, citing government commitments for his absence. Attending this time only to harangue the prosecution and present his own views on the proceedings, Berlusconi promised to return to court next week, stating that he would only be cross-examined in his prime ministerial offices.

Silvio's return unlikely

He may not get another chance to appear before the judges, however, as the trial is expected to have collapsed by the time he is scheduled to re-appear. The Italian parliament convenes on Wednesday to approve a bill granting the prime minister immunity. His "smash and grab" approach seemed designed to deny the prosecution the chance to embarrass him by announcing what prison term it wanted before parliament brings the controversial immunity law into force.

The law, rushed through parliament, means Berlusconi could not be forced to return to court until his term of office expires in 2006. However, he would still be protected under the immunity law if he successfully ran for another term. Commentators have said that they strongly believe the case will never be reactivated once parliament freezes the trial on Wednesday as is widely expected.

When it takes effect, the new immunity law will resurrect a previously embarrassing chapter in Italian politics when the "Clean Hands" investigations of the early 1990s rocked Italy and toppled an entire political generation. The immunity law for politicians was abolished soon after.

The new bill would cover Italy's five most senior state officials and has already been passed in the upper house of parliament, the Senate. It is expected to cruise through the lower house, where Berlusconi's Forza Italia party enjoys a comfortable majority.

A theatrical performance

Berlusconi arrived at the court house on Tuesday facing charges referring to the alleged bribing of judges in Rome in an attempt to influence the privatization of the SME state food company in 1985, before he had entered politics. Berlusconi's company ultimately took control of SME after its privatization. Seemingly well prepared for battle, the prime minister, in typically determined and belligerent fashion, treated the packed Milan court to a performance verging on pure theatre.

After accusing the Milan court of persecuting him, Berlusconi turned on the chief prosecution witness, Stefania Ariosto, who he branded a compulsive liar. "All there is is a fantasy cooked up by the person who invented this theory (of corruption). And I'm having ... tons of mud slung at me," Berlusconi exclaimed. He called Ariosto a "mythomaniac" and demanded that the witness be charged with slander.

A murder case missing key components

Berlusconi remained animated throughout his statement as he turned his obvious frustration towards the case brought against him. Likening the proceedings to a murder trial that lacked evidence, a body or any other key components, the prime minister sought to discredit the prosecution. "There is no body here, there is no murder weapon, there is no motive ... I don't know how this trial came about, or what proof or accusations there are."

Then as dramatically as it had all began, it was over. Berlusconi left the court in uproar; applause mixed with catcalls and shouts of "buffoon" rang out along with his name bellowed in support.

More trouble ahead?

The trial comes at an uncomfortable time for Berlusconi. The prime minister is about to lead Italy into its six-month spell as holder of the European Union's rotating presidency. He is also facing considerable domestic political pressure. Forza Italia's coalition partner, the far-right Northern League, is warning that it will pull out of the government within weeks if its demands on devolution and immigration are not met.

However, Italy's richest man has weathered legal and political storms in the past, mostly stemming from his vast media and business empire. He has faced accusations of false accounting, bribery of tax police and illegally funding his political party. His first stint as prime minister in 1994 came to an early end, partly because of corruption charges. But his three previous convictions on corruption and fraud charges have all been overturned on appeal.