Silvio Berlusconi has experienced numerous moments of triumph and tragedy in the 15 years he has dominated Italian politics. But the blow he has just received from Italy’s Constitutional Court is the most serious setback he has encountered. Throughout this year, Mr Berlusconi has been embroiled in scandals over prostitutes and showgirls. However, the Constitutional Court has struck him where it truly hurts. Its judges have annulled a law passed in 2004 that gave Mr Berlusconi immunity from prosecution. The prime minister may now have to stand trial in a series of cases where he is alleged to have committed corruption, tax evasion and bribery.

Mr Berlusconi has responded by again accusing Italy’s judiciary of mounting a leftist-motivated witchhunt against him. It is certainly true that few Italian institutions today are politically independent. But the Constitutional Court has come to the right judgment. The head of government in a democracy cannot be above the law. Any other verdict would have been a further deformation of Italy’s dysfunctional political system.