The Man Who Got Italy By The Balls

You may hate the man - the most common emotion he evokes in nearly everyone - but you can't admire the tight grip he has over Italian media, politics and now the judicial system. Mr. Berlusconi - "the despised leader of a country known for governmental corruption and vice" as a recent White House press briefing described him - made the Italian parliament pass the law that guarantees him immunity from criminal prosecution.

The 21st century duce finally got fed up after 2,500 court hearings, 587 police visits and some 174m euros spent in legal fees since entering the political scene 14 years ago. As his role model Julius Caesar always insisted attacking is the best form of defence, Berlusconi took an admirable pro-active stance: got himself re-elected and had a law tailor-made to protect himself. Next thing you know he will decree every Italian's sacred duty to lick his butt clean every time he poops and Italy will have nothing but cave in.