| Author (Person) | Dinmore, Guy, Sanderson, Rachel |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Financial Times |
| Series Details | 16.2.11 |
| Publication Date | 16/02/2011 |
| Content Type | News |
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An Italian judge on the 15 February 2011 ordered Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister, to stand trial on charges that he paid for sex with a 17-year-old girl and abuse of office in trying to cover up their relationship by securing her release from detention. Opposition leaders called on Mr Berlusconi to resign and face the charges in court, saying Italy had become the laughing stock of the world and that the government, with its razor-thin majority in parliament, was paralysed over the affair. The prime minister has repeatedly accused 'leftist' magistrates of trying to carry out a 'coup' against his government, and the prospect of a prolonged trial risks bringing to a head a long-running conflict between Mr Berlusconi and the Italian judiciary. |
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| Countries / Regions | Italy |
