EUROPEAN CORRUPTION: THE GRAND TOUR - ITALY
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.ILLEGAL FINANCING of political parties was the Mani Puliti (Clean Hands) corruption scandal, which brought down Italy's seemingly irremovable Christian Democrat-led power system in 1992. All parties of the coalition governments took millions of illicit dollars from business. The defence was "everyone did it" and even the Communist Party was investigat-ed. Judges discovered secret Swiss bank accounts and slush funds, and heard of suitcases full of cash given to party functionaries
Two former prime ministers are named, the former Socialist leader Bettino Craxi, being treated for cancer in Tunisia where he has been in self-imposed exile since 1994, and the media mogul turned politician, Silvio Berlusconi (above), leader of the opposition Freedom Front.
Mr Craxi has refused to return to Italy unless he is granted a pardon first.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments