Politics of Europe | GlobalPost

British PM Cameron moves to quell party revolt over Europe

Thomson ReutersMay 13, 2013 14:16

By Andrew Osborn WASHINGTON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister David Cameron moved to end a damaging revolt over European Union membership in his ruling Conservative party on Monday, saying his ministers all backed him on the issue even though two had expressed more skeptical views than his own.

Prosecutor seeks 6-year jail term for Berlusconi in sex trial

Thomson ReutersMay 13, 2013 11:15

MILAN (Reuters) - An Italian prosecutor is seeking a six-year jail sentence for former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for allegedly having sex with an underage nightclub dancer during notorious 'bunga bunga' parties at his villa outside Milan. The prosecutor also asked for a lifetime ban on holding public office. The 76-year-old billionaire media tycoon and center-right political leader stands accused of having had sex with Karima El Maroug, better known by her stage name 'Ruby the Heartstealer', when she was a minor.

Two decades of courtroom saga for Italy's Berlusconi

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 11:06

For two decades, legal troubles have haunted Italy's former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, whose conviction for tax fraud linked to his Mediaset business empire was upheld on Wednesday. Berlusconi has never seen the inside of a prison cell, however, showing a knack for getting off the hook and prolonging trials so long that charges eventually expire under the statute of limitations. It is unlikely the 76-year-old will ever go to prison since Italy has lenient sentencing guidelines for over-70s, who are given short prison terms.

Italian court upholds Berlusconi tax fraud sentence

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 11:05

An Italian court on Wednesday upheld a tax fraud conviction for former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, confirming his sentence of one year in prison and a five-year ban from public office. "The court confirms the sentence against Silvio Berlusconi," a judge in Milan said in a live audio feed broadcast by news channel Sky TG 24. Berlusconi is now expected to appeal the ruling in Italy's highest court, which would suspend the punishment pending a final ruling in the case which revolves around his Mediaset business empire.

World Jewish leaders urge crackdown on far-right

Thomson ReutersMay 13, 2013 10:46

By Tom Heneghan, Religion Editor BUDAPEST (Reuters) - The World Jewish Congress urged Hungary on Tuesday to crack down on the far-right Jobbik party and called on governments in Europe to consider banning neo-Nazi parties threatening democracy and minority rights. The WJC plenary assembly, held in the Hungarian capital rather than Jerusalem to highlight rising anti-Semitism in Hungary, passed a resolution saying Budapest must recognize that Jobbik poses "a fundamental threat to Hungary's democracy.

Italian prosecutors sum up in Berlusconi sex trial

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 09:15

Italian prosecutors presented their final arguments on Monday at the close of Silvio Berlusconi's trial for having sex with an underage prostitute and abuse of office in a legal storm that is shaking the government. The hearing is one of the last in a trial that began two years ago and relates to alleged crimes in 2010 when Berlusconi was still prime minister and revolves around alleged raunchy "bunga bunga" parties at his luxury residence outside Milan.

Britain's Tories in fresh turmoil over Europe

Agence France-PresseMay 12, 2013 22:30

British Prime Minister David Cameron is bracing for a fresh Conservative rebellion over Europe this week as about 100 of his party's lawmakers look set to defy him in a parliamentary vote. Tory divisions over Britain's membership of the European Union, never far below the surface, have burst into the open once again ahead of the expected vote on Wednesday.

Italy's Democrats elect union leader as temporary chief

Agence France-PresseMay 12, 2013 21:27

Italy's Democratic Party on Saturday elected union boss Guglielmo Epifani as its temporary leader to replace Pier Luigi Bersani, who stepped aside at the height of the country's leadership crisis following inconclusive February elections. Epifani, a former leader of the left-wing union CGIL, was the only candidate and won the secret ballot with 85.8 percent of the vote. Fifty-nine of the 600 delegates cast blank ballots in a show of discontent. Bersani told the meeting that the PD needed to "regain enthusiasm" and build momentum for the party's congress in October.

Berlusconi affirms loyalty to coalition government

Agence France-PresseMay 12, 2013 20:45

Silvio Berlusconi affirmed over the weekend his centre-right movement's loyalty to the grand coalition government of Prime Minister Enrico Letta at a rally in a northern city which attracted noisy support and dissent. "We believe in the government and we loyally support it because it is committed to achieving measures which we regard as vital for reviving the economy," former prime minister Berlusconi told the crowds in Brescia on Saturday. "Contracts between right-minded people are respected" and "I am a loyal person" he told them.

Italy's Berlusconi attacks judges but backs Letta government

Thomson ReutersMay 11, 2013 19:45

By James Mackenzie ROME (Reuters) - Silvio Berlusconi launched a fierce attack on magistrates at a stormy political rally on Saturday, accusing them of trying to eliminate him politically but he pledged to keep supporting the fragile coalition of center-left Prime Minister Enrico Letta. The leader of Italy's center right, whose appeal against a tax fraud conviction was rejected this week and who still faces trial on charges of paying for sex with a minor, repeated his longstanding accusations against prosecutors.