Berlusconi sentence intensifies power struggle / Berlusconi sentenced to four years

A Milan court sentenced Silvio Berlusconi, the former Italian prime minister, to four years in prison for tax fraud on the 26 October 2012 – although, with two levels of appeal remaining, he was unlikely to spend time behind bars in the near future, if at all.

The convictions was set to intensify a power struggle within his centre-right People of Liberty (PDL) party while adding to the mounting problems of Italy’s government under Mario Monti.

ESO: Background information: Italian politics. Who will be Italy’s next prime minister? http://www.europeansources.info/record/italian-politics-who-will-be-italys-next-prime-minister/

ESO: Background information: Italy in suspense as ex-PM hints at return http://www.europeansources.info/record/italy-in-suspense-as-ex-pm-hints-at-return/

Corriere della Sera, 25.10.12: Berlusconi: “I’ve Made Up My Mind - I Won’t Be Running Again Primaries in the PDL by the End of the Year” http://www.corriere.it/english/12_ottobre_25/berlusconi_a5a871c8-1e84-11e2-83ec-606b68a0023b.shtml

BBC News, 27.10.12: Berlusconi set to appeal against tax fraud conviction http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20106777

Spiegel Online International, 26.10.12: Silvio Berlusconi Sentenced to Four Years in Jail http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/former-italian-prime-minister-berlusconi-convicted-of-tax-fraud-a-863719.html

ESO: Background information: Berlusconi in court for first time in eight years http://www.europeansources.info/record/berlusconi-in-court-for-first-time-in-eight-years/

Deutsche Welle, 27.10.12: Berlusconi verdict - a short-lived victory? http://www.dw.de/berlusconi-verdict-a-short-lived-victory/a-16337394

BBC News, 08.05.13: Italy court upholds Berlusconi tax fraud conviction http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22458282

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