LBCI

Italy parliament votes to allow arrest of Berlusconi ally

World News

22-07-2014 | 10:38

Share

Share

Italy parliament votes to allow arrest of Berlusconi ally

2^min

The Italian parliament voted on Tuesday to lift immunity from arrest for one of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's oldest associates, implicated in a massive bribery scandal linked to a flood barrier project in Venice.

Giancarlo Galan, a former governor of the Veneto region and ex-minister and one of the founding members of Berlusconi's Forza Italia party, has been accused of taking bribes to smooth approvals for companies involved in the project.

As a member of parliament, Galan enjoys immunity from arrest which can only be lifted after a special vote.

Prosecutors allege he was paid what amounted to a salary of one million euros a year from the consortium behind the flood barriers project and took other perks including decoration of his luxurious country house.

He denies all the accusations against him.

More than 30 people have been arrested in the investigation into a complicated series of kickbacks connected to the 5 billion euro public works project designed to limit flood damage to the lagoon city.

The consortium behind the project is accused of constructing an elaborate system of inflated invoices to hide millions of euros in bribes to politicians from most of the main parties.

Coming hard on the heels of a separate corruption investigation into the Milan Expo 2015, it has revived memories of the "Bribesville" scandals of the 1990s which destroyed Italy's old party system and helped bring Berlusconi to power.

Although Galan's case has no direct impact on Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, the case risks exacerbating tensions with Forza Italia, which has been cooperating with the government over a series of constitutional reforms.

REUTERS

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports 8 killed, 9 injured in Israeli strike on Al-Fawwar, Sidon

2026-03-13

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports 8 killed, 9 injured in Israeli strike on Al-Fawwar, Sidon

Southern Lebanon withdrawal expected within weeks as Israel advances security plan

News Bulletin Reports

2026-07-05

Southern Lebanon withdrawal expected within weeks as Israel advances security plan

President Aoun condemns killing of civil defense members, urges end to Israeli violations

2026-05-12

President Aoun condemns killing of civil defense members, urges end to Israeli violations

Between war and diplomacy: Why Israel-Lebanon talks remain uncertain

News Bulletin Reports

2026-03-16

Between war and diplomacy: Why Israel-Lebanon talks remain uncertain

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Israeli minister calls for escalation with Lebanon, says threats must be ‘crushed’ in Beirut

1

Israeli minister calls for escalation with Lebanon, says threats must be ‘crushed’ in Beirut

US responds to Qassem remarks, says Hezbollah bears responsibility for Israeli presence in Lebanon

2

US responds to Qassem remarks, says Hezbollah bears responsibility for Israeli presence in Lebanon

Fears of renewed fighting force southern Lebanon residents to leave homes again

3

Fears of renewed fighting force southern Lebanon residents to leave homes again

LBCI Exclusive footage shows massive fire raging through Aitou forest

4

LBCI Exclusive footage shows massive fire raging through Aitou forest

Lebanon Civil Defense warns against swimming along coast amid high waves

5

Lebanon Civil Defense warns against swimming along coast amid high waves

Iran disputes Qatar, Kuwait accounts of captured Iranian personnel

6

Iran disputes Qatar, Kuwait accounts of captured Iranian personnel

Poland to send emergency aircraft to Budapest after coach crash: PM Tusk

7

Poland to send emergency aircraft to Budapest after coach crash: PM Tusk

Trump envoy Kushner discusses Gaza with Egypt's Sisi: Presidency

8

Trump envoy Kushner discusses Gaza with Egypt's Sisi: Presidency

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More