Accusations about Silvio Berlusconi’s historic ties to a close associate of the Sicilian mafia are being revived by his main political rival as Italy heads into the final stretch of campaigning before the general election on 4 March. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Alessandro Di Battista launches attack against Silvio Berlusconi’s ties to the Cosa NostraThe statement has revived an issue that has not been widely debated in the Italian election campaign. Berlusconi has always denied having ties to organised crime. If Berlusconi’s coalition – which includes two parties on the far right – were to win the election, the 81-year-old would not be eligible to serve as prime minister because of a previous conviction on tax fraud. But he would have the power to select the country’s next prime minister and would have sway over that individual given his position as head of Forza Italia.

Source: The Guardian February 20, 2018 13:24 UTC