Aldo Brancher (born 30 May 1943; Trichiana, Veneto) is an Italian politician. He served as a minister without portfolio in the Government of Silvio Berlusconi for 17 days in June/July 2010 but was forced to resign due to a pending court case.
Aldo Brancher | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister for Subsidiarity and Decentralization | |
| In office 18 June 2010 – 5 July 2010 | |
| Prime Minister | Silvio Berlusconi |
| Member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies | |
| In office 21 May 2001 – 14 March 2013 | |
| Constituency | Veneto 1 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 May 1943 Trichiana, Veneto, Italy |
| Political party | Forza Italia (2013-present) |
| Other political affiliations | Christian Democracy (1960s-1994)(supporter) Forza Italia (1999-2009) The People of Freedom (2009-2013) |
Early career
editBefore his political career, Brancher was a Pauline priest.[1][2] He was a key figure in the publication of the Paulines' magazine, Famiglia Cristiana.[3] After leaving the priesthood, he worked for Berlusconi's advertising house, Publitalia '80, before moving on to Berlusconi's holding company, Fininvest.[3]
In 1993, while working for Fininvest, Brancher was caught up in the Tangentopoli political corruption scandal.[1][3][4] He served three months in San Vittore prison for false accounting and for illegally funding the Italian Socialist Party, but was released on a technicality following a ruling by the Court of Cassation.[3][4][5]
Political career
editBrancher was elected to the 14th legislature of the Italian Chamber of Deputies in May 2001 and was re-elected in April 2006 and April 2008.[6] He was appointed as a Secretary of State with responsibility for reform on 12 May 2008.[6]
Brancher was named as a minister without portfolio, with specific responsibility for federalism, on 18 June 2010.[7] A few days later, his responsibility was changed to decentralisation as the Lega Nord – partners in Berlusconi's coalition Government – was concerned that his role would conflict with that of its leader, Umberto Bossi, who was Minister for Federal Reforms.[8] At the time of his appointment, Brancher was facing trial for alleged embezzlement during the 2005 takeover of Antonveneta.[1][8] When, just a few days later, Brancher invoked an immunity law that protects ministers from prosecution, the opposition accused Berlusconi of making the appointment solely to save his friend from the court hearing.[1][8] Giorgio Napolitano, the President of Italy, rejected Brancher's invocation of the right to immunity, suggesting that, as Brancher was a minister without portfolio, there was no actual Ministry work preventing him from standing trial.[9] Following the President’s comments, the opposition, along with members of Brancher’s own party, threatened a motion of no confidence unless he resigned.[1] Brancher acquiesced and announced his resignation during the opening day of his trial on 5 July 2010.[1][10]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Another ally unseated: Italian political scandals". The Economist. 396 (8690): 38. 8 July 2010. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
- ^ "Brancher, 17 giorni da ministro nel segno delle polemiche" (in Italian). Corriere della Sera. 5 July 2010. Archived from the original on 8 July 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
- ^ a b c d "L'ex uomo Fininvest che piace a Bossi Brancher, tra guai giudiziari e politica" (in Italian). La Stampa. 18 June 2010. Archived from the original on 21 June 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
- ^ a b "Tocca alla Fininvest" (in Italian). la Repubblica. 23 June 1993. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
- ^ John Hooper (9 July 2010). "Silvio Berlusconi's 'gag law' sparks media strike in Italy". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 July 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
- ^ a b "BRANCHER Aldo - PDL". camera.it. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
- ^ "Italy Names Forza Italia's Brancher As New Federalism Minister". NASDAQ. 18 June 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
- ^ a b c Nick Squires (25 June 2010). "Berlusconi ally avoids trial after being made minister". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 28 June 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
- ^ "Napolitano: Brancher si faccia processare" (in Italian). Il Secolo XIX. 25 June 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
- ^ Rosario Murgida (5 July 2010). "Italy Minister Brancher To Resign, Stand Trial In Antonveneta Case". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 10 July 2010. [dead link]