Ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi on
Wednesday urged supporters from his Forza Italia (FI) party to
maintain unity in the face of left-wing attempts to keep him
from campaigning for upcoming European Parliament (EP)
elections.
The media magnate became ineligible to stand or to vote in
the May 25 poll following a binding conviction for tax fraud at
his media empire last year. He was also ejected from the Italian
Senate as a result.
''In this delicate moment in which the left, using its
judicial arm, wishes to keep me from running, Forza Italia is
enduring clumsy attempts to snatch its votes through confusion
and treachery,'' Berlusconi said.
The party must remain united, he added.
''There is no room in FI for currents, territorial claims,
or personal ambitions. FI is one".
Berlusconi has lodged an appeal with the European Court of
Human Rights (ECHR) against a six-year ban from office incurred
under a 2012 anti-corruption law following his tax fraud
conviction.
The ECHR on Tuesday rebuffed a petition signed by some
3,900 people asking for Berlusconi to be allowed to run for the
EP anyway.
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