The trial began in July 2006, but was put on hold by a now-defunct immunity law that shielded
Berlusconi from prosecution while he was premier until it was watered down by the constitutional court.
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano met for about an hour with Mr
Berlusconi after the premier lost his parliamentary majority during a routine vote yesterday.
The move caused a market rally, but it's likely to be short-lived -
Berlusconi's offer to quit is conditional, and even if he leaves office Italy's underlying economic problems would remain.
Berlusconi, the head of a diversified media empire (television, radio, press, Internet, movies, advertising, and books), decided to establish a political party at a time when he believed that post-communists could win power otherwise.
The 42-year-old man accused of attacking Mr
Berlusconi as he signed autographs was immediately taken into custody.
Gaspare Mutolo, 69, who claims he murdered 30 people during his 25 years in the Mafia, says in the 1970s he was ordered to kidnap
Berlusconi, then a wealthy property developer.
Of course, that question has been raised ever since
Berlusconi took office.
Mr
Berlusconi gave his first direct response in an interview with gossip magazine Chi.
The photos came to light amid a scandal involving
Berlusconi and Naples model Noemi Letizia, whose 18th birthday party the premier attended several weeks ago.
is now advising Silvio
Berlusconi, the Italian premier.--The Independent, March 2006