Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi’s immunity from prosecution in two unfinished court cases could be overturned by a judicial hearing that opened today.

Victor L Simpson in Rome says the ‘Ruby’ scandal may prove to be the final straw for the Italian public

A HIGH-PROFILE corruption scandal involving Silvio Berlusconi’s inner circle is denting the Italian Prime Minister’s hopes of a sweeping victory in regional elections next month.

Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi today remained defiant in his refusal to concede defeat to centre-left rival Romano Prodi as Italians awaited the official results of a count of contested ballots in close-fought parliamentary elections.