WTI Magazine #27    2014 Apr, 25
Author : Francesca Papasergi      Translation by:

"Parks and Recreation". "Person of Interest". "Orange is the New Black".
"Community Services Are the New Prison Sentences". Wouldn't it be a nice title for a tv show? This is what it is going to be, by the way. A tv show.

Yes, we all see the irony: Mr. Berlusconi is an old man himself. Although no one seems not to remember this detail, he will turn 78 on September 29th.

Even if he is still considered "dangerous", the judges thought that community services in the Elder Care Institution "Fondazione Sacra Famiglia" in Cesano Boscone (near Milan, in Lombardy) were the best solution to end his trial. He said he will use his "motivational abilities" to help the elders live the last part of their lives. In spite of these conditions, many Italians don't' think this is a real punishment or, at least, they don't find it proportioned to the tax fraud felony.

The prohibition to lambaste the judiciary power is the hardest he got: will he endure his punishment without any accusation to the judges? If it was so, he wouldn't be Berlusconi. He already started attacking them again and again, and he risks to be arrested every time.

Eventually, the social services Mr. Berlusconi must fulfill will be a blessing for Forza Italia's campaign. The party has never been so weak, and his closeness to common people could be very helpful for the cause.

The European Elections are just around the corner. And Berlusconi wants to be there.