Berlusconi cries "Forza Italia!" vows to stay in politics
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi vows to stay in the spotlight of Italian politics ... despite his expected expulsion from parliament on a tax fraud conviction.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) FORMER ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER, SILVIO BERLUSCONI, SAYING:
"Go Italy! Go Italy! Go Italy!"
In an televised address just before a Senate committee was expected to throw him out of politics, he called on voters to relaunch his Forza Italia campaign, which catapulted him into government in 1994.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) FORMER ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER, SILVIO BERLUSCONI, SAYING:
"I will always be with you, at your side, expelled from parliament or not. You can be a politician without being in parliament. It is not the parliamentary seat that makes a leader, but popular consensus - your consensus."
As a punishment, Berlusconi is expected to serve a one-year term in house arrest or do community service, instead of going to jail.
That's pared down from a four-ye
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) FORMER ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER, SILVIO BERLUSCONI, SAYING:
"Go Italy! Go Italy! Go Italy!"
In an televised address just before a Senate committee was expected to throw him out of politics, he called on voters to relaunch his Forza Italia campaign, which catapulted him into government in 1994.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) FORMER ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER, SILVIO BERLUSCONI, SAYING:
"I will always be with you, at your side, expelled from parliament or not. You can be a politician without being in parliament. It is not the parliamentary seat that makes a leader, but popular consensus - your consensus."
As a punishment, Berlusconi is expected to serve a one-year term in house arrest or do community service, instead of going to jail.
That's pared down from a four-ye