Silvio Berlusconi's 'iron fist' laws approved

Silvio Berlusconi's 'iron fist' laws approved

www.telegraph.co.uk

Soldiers could be sent into Italy's cities, illegal immigrants will be imprisoned and all non-serious court cases will be frozen for a year under new measures approved by Italy's senate.

(visit the link for the full news article)



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This is a very concerning trend. Although Berlusconi has always basically been a neo-fascist, it seems like in more and more countries measures like these are being implemented.

More relevant quotes from the article:

Mr Berlusconi, 71, will now be able to use as many as 3,000 soldiers for up to six months in order to fight crime. Previously, the use of the army had to be agreed by the parliament beforehand. The first destination for the troops is likely to be Naples, where Mr Berlusconi faces violent opposition to his plans for dealing with the city's rubbish crisis.

Another controversial measure in the package will eventually see illegal immigrants imprisoned for up to four years. Landlords who rent homes to illegal immigrants will have their properties seized. Mr Berlusconi has pinned much of the blame for Italy's crime problem on immigrants and has vowed to "wash the piazzas clean of uncertainty". Immigrants who claim to have family in Italy will be given DNA tests.

The proposals were recently covered by Systematik here, and here. They have now been approved and we'll soon be ratified.

However, Mr Berlusconi's enormous majority in the Senate easily overwhelmed the opposition. The measure will now be ratified by the Lower House of parliament. No date has been set, but the parliament has 30 days in which to carry out a vote.

www.telegraph.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)

Included in this legislation is a measure to freeze long-running trials for a year, one of which includes Prime Minister Berlusconi himself.

'Berlusconi bill' passed in Italy:

The bill would freeze some long-running trials for a year, including one involving Mr Berlusconi in Milan.

And the government is set to introduce another bill that will give top public figures immunity from prosecution.

Mr Berlusconi has faced corruption charges in the courts for many years but has always protested his innocence.

Although Mr Berlusconi was found guilty in one corruption case, the verdict was overturned on appeal and other cases were dismissed under statutes of limitation.

Now he is taking strong action to try to avoid his new term of office being upset by further court appearances.

On Friday, Mr Berlusconi's cabinet will table a new bill suspending any trials of the five top public office holders, including the prime minister and the president, during the period in which they serve the Italian state.

??

Using the army ? well, if the rubbish is that high its a public health risk and the army should be used to clear it up..

As for the 'immunity' from prosecutions whilst they are in public office.. thats a scandle and a half.

I cannot believe people think that the EU is a facist dictatorship with prime ministers of all countries treating their office as a piggy bank / tool for doing wrongness !

Italy / UK / France / germany / Belgium..... the whole lot as singular nations are corrupt. Mix them in the EU and we are looking at trouble

Originally posted by Dan Tanna
Using the army ? well, if the rubbish is that high its a public health risk and the army should be used to clear it up..

I'm sure someone other than the Army could do such a job.

When the Army gets involved in civilian issues like these people always have objections - and rightly so in my opinion - as we're currently seeing an increasing police state mentality throughout the world it seems (US, Russia, EU, etc), and Martial Law has been on the minds of people.

It sets dangerous precedents, that while for now might not have that many implications, but could be the start of future legislation that will.

My bad.

I thought it was a case of 'heres your shovels Mr soldier, now go clean the streets'.

If they are there to enforce laws and make others do the tasks...


ROFL - In Naples ? are they mad ? the Army hasn't got enough people or guns.

Originally posted by danx

Silvio Berlusconi's 'iron fist' laws approved

www.telegraph.co.uk

Soldiers could be sent into Italy's cities, illegal immigrants will be imprisoned and all non-serious court cases will be frozen for a year under new measures approved by Italy's senate.

(visit the link for the full news article)



Related AboveTopSecret.com Discussion Threads:
Italy defends move to patrol streets with soldiers
Silvio Berlusconi suspends his own trial

So.... in other words, they are becoming more americanized?