A controversial signature

Italian State President Giorgio Napolitano has signed a controversial immunity law approved by the parliament, which affords the four highest state offices protection against prosecution. The leader of the opposition party "Italy of Values", Antonio di Pietro, wants to hold a referendum to topple the law. The daily Corriere della Sera defends the signing of the law criticised by Di Pietro. "The state president has managed to bring difficult negotiations to a conclusion and to strengthen the institutional authority not only of the government. Thanks to Napolitano the impression will be dispelled that the Centre-Right, which wants to force down the public prosecutor who is investigating the prime minister, is trying to bend the law. At the same time it gives the Democratic Party a good motive for not being drawn into Di Pietro's orbit. Yet the game is only just beginning. The shadow of unconstitutionality cannot be regarded as banished."

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