We have been here before, and it is no better second time around. Silvio Berlusconi’s success this week in getting the Italian parliament’s approval for legislation protecting Italy’s top four elected officials from prosecution while in office makes the heart sink – just as it did when he pursued the same route the last time he was in power.

It says much about the prime minister’s priorities that having won the election fewer than 100 days ago, he devoted such effort to the swift passage of this law. As before, Mr Berlusconi’s focus is not on Italy but on himself.