Italy and Thailand Comparisons

There have been many comparisons (from media ownership, style, and football club owner) between Italy's PM Silvio Berlusconi and Thaksin - the first comparison was made in 1995 and has continued throughout - see this article from 2006. The BBC today:Italy's parliament has given its final approval to a controversial immunity bill put forward by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government.The bill was passed by 171 votes to 128 by the Senate. The lower house backed the measure earlier last month.The bill protects top public officials, including the prime minister, from prosecution while they are in office.Critics say it is tailor-made for Mr Berlusconi, who faces a corruption trial. The PM says he is innocent.The 71-year-old media tycoon has been charged numerous times for corruption, tax fraud and illegal party funding.Mr... [read full story]