On Friday the so called “Lodo Alfano” has been approved by the Italian Council of Ministers. The Government bill takes its name from the Minister of Justice Angelino Alfano.

Basically, the future law is a shield that protects the four high offices of the State from Law.

If the Prime Minister, the President of Republic, the President of Senate or the President of the Chamber of Deputies breaks a law he won’t be arrested (even if in the act of the crime) or judged by any court, for the length of his entire mandate.

Obviously, looking at all his pending trials, the Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will be the one who’ll take more advantage of the future law.

What a shocking surprise.

He said “Either I work as prime minister or I dedicate my time preparing for court appearances. One cannot do both”.

Nobody reminds the busy man that in every normal Country a Prime Minister doesn’t have pending trials and that before becoming the man who represents and governs a Nation he should have a clean record, since, as Prime Minister, he should be the main example of clearness.

In every normal Country.

In 2003 the past Berluconi’s Government had approved the “Lodo Schifani” that suspended Premier’s trials, but the Constitutional Court stated that the law was unconstitutional.

If the bill is approved it will be a clear act against the Italian Constitution that states (art 3) the equality of all citizens before the law.

The hope is that the President of Republic Giorgio Napolitano, who must sign the law, won’t approve it and he will send it back to the Parliament.

But if he signs it, Italy will become the first European State where law is officially not the same for everyone.

In this case the advice is: if you are a criminal or want to commit a crime you better be elected first, you’ll have a easier life then.

Strip by Julian Pena-Pai