Berlusconi Kicked Out of Senate

Bunga bunga! After years of political and personal scandals, former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was stripped of his parliamentary seat by the Italian senate. True to form, as politicians read speeches in support of or attacking Berlusconi before the vote, he held a rally in central Rome claiming he was being persecuted. Berlusconi, 77, is now without the many legal immunities afforded Italian lawmakers, which leaves him especially prone given the number of legal cases confronting him. He will also begin serving a year of community service for tax fraud, and is banned from running for public office for two years. “It is a bitter day, a day of mourning for democracy,” Mr. Berlusconi said.