Berlusconi vows to rule with ‘more grit’

A COMBATIVE Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi vowed yesterday to govern with “even more grit” after Italy’s top court lifted his immunity and he dismissed corruption charges against him as “laughable”.

But commentators warned that tension stemming from the constitutional court ruling on Wednesday could destabilise the political landscape and spill over into the economy.

“The government will forge ahead calmly, tranquilly and with even more grit than before because this will be absolutely indispensable for freedom and democracy in this country,” Berlusconi said in a radio interview.