01 agosto 2003

ECO-TERROR
Dear Mr Berlusconi...: The Economist publishes, as an open letter to Mr Berlusconi, a dossier of evidence and questions we believe he must answer...
It is a matter of a rich businessman using his political power to foster his businesses, both by defeating judicial investigations against him and by enacting new laws and regulations in his own interest. The Economist is thus concerned about Mr Berlusconi both as an outrage against the Italian people and their judicial system, and as Europe's most extreme case of the abuse by a capitalist of the democracy within which he lives and operates. Far from being, as he claims, the man who is creating a new Italy, he is a prime representative, and perpetuator, of the worst of old Italy. Ironic, really.
[act.: Fininvest Accuses the Economist of Campaign to Discredit: Fininvest, in a statement, replies to the accusations published by the latest edition of The Economist against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi]