Berlusconi pressures minister
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.ROME - Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian Prime Minister, demanded yesterday that his Interior Minister, Roberto Maroni, withdraw comments on a highly controversial government decree on corruption, or resign. Mr Berlusconi made his demand amid statements by judicial officials that 15 per cent of the 1,050 people released from prison between Thursday and Saturday as a result of the Biondi decree were wanted for alleged corruption offences.
Mr Maroni, a member of the federalist Northern League, said on Saturday he would resign from the government unless Mr Berlusconi agreed to scrap a decree, passed on Wednesday, which limits magistrates' powers to detain suspects.
'The minister's comments to the press bear no relation to the truth and they constitute an offence against the cabinet and the prime minister,' said Mr Berlusconi in Rome.
In interviews, notably with yesterday's La Stampa, Mr Maroni said he was 'mistakenly persuaded' by his government colleagues to approve the decree. He believed the decree had been passed in order to hinder the two-year-old 'Clean Hands' inquiry into allegations of widespread corruption among Italian politicains and business leaders.
For his part, Mr Berlusconi has made it clear he believes Mr Maroni's loyalty should lie with the coalition government, not his party. 'The tribal rights represented by the old hegemony of political parties are no longer acceptable,' he said. 'I am waiting either for a letter from Maroni completely withdrawing his comments or for his resignation as a minister,' Mr Berlusconi added.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments