Rome - Outgoing Premier Mario Monti and ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi came to loggerheads on Friday after Monti, leader of a reformist platform in upcoming elections, claimed 'parallels' with the 'Bribesville' scandals of the early 1990s.
His comments came after the ex-premier caused a political stir by saying companies budgeted for bribes as a standard practice to land international contracts following the arrest of aerospace and defence giant Finmeccanica CEO Giuseppe Orsi on suspicion of international corruption over the sale of helicopters to India.
"Unfortunately (there are parallels), but with less hope," Monti told public broadcaster Rai3.
"In 1993 the action of the judiciary was liberating, and it was thought that this, combined with citizens' conscience, would put an end to the phenomenon," he continued in reference to the corruption scandals that took down the political establishment that had ruled Italy since the Second World War.
"Judicial action has continued but the conscience of those Italians who lead other Italians has grown complacent". Monti also recalled how his government had struggled to pass adequate anti-corruption measures due to "resistance" from Berlusconi's People of Freedom (PdL) party.
15/02/13 ANSAmed
