Source:
TelegraphSilvio Berlusconi suffers blow as minister resigns over corruption charges
Silvio Berlusconi's government suffered a blow on Tuesday when a minister was forced to resign over allegations that he was involved in an illegal property deal.
By Nick Squires in Rome
Published: 4:25PM BST 04 May 2010
Claudio Scajola, the industry minister and a close ally of Mr Berlusconi, stepped down amid accusations that he paid well below the market rate for a luxury apartment overlooking the Colosseum in Rome.
The flat was partly paid for by a Rome-based businessman, who is at the heart of a separate corruption investigation into the awarding of building contracts, according to prosecutors.
Mr Scajola's departure marked the first big change to the cabinet since Mr Berlusconi was re-elected two years ago.
It comes at a time of deep instability in the governing coalition, with bitter feuding between the prime minister's two most important allies: Umberto Bossi, the leader of the xenophobic Northern League, and Gianfranco Fini, a suave former fascist.
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/7677788/Silvio-Berlusconi-suffers-blow-as-minister-resigns-over-corruption-charges.html
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Silvio Berlusconi and friend.