Enacting new laws to protect one person probably sounded like a good idea to the Berlusconi supporters, but the Italian courts are less supportive. It's easy to look back at the impeachment proceedings against Bill Clinton and see how they were politically motivated and a waste of time. At the same time, when you look at other politicians, you wonder how they can get away with certain actions. Either way, it's doubtful that any legal challenges will end the political career of Berlusconi. CNN:
Italy's Constitutional Court Thursday struck down key parts of a law that would protect Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi from prosecution.
The law was designed to halt criminal proceedings against top government officials for 18 months on the grounds that they are too busy to appear in court.
But Italy's top court ruled that 18 months is too long, and that judges, not politicians, should be the ones to determine if a defendant is free to appear in court.
