Aldo Brancher

The Honourable Aldo Brancher
Minister without portfolio
In office 18 June 2010 – 5 July 2010
Prime Minister	Silvio Berlusconi
Member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies
Incumbent
Assumed office 21 April 2006
Constituency	Veneto 1
In office 21 May 2001 – April 2006
Constituency	3 - Bussolengo ( 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)

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.

Early career

Before 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

Brancher 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

1. "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.
2. "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.
3. "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.
4. "Tocca alla Fininvest" (in Italian). la Repubblica. 23 June 1993. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
5. 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.
6. "BRANCHER Aldo - PDL". camera.it. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
7. "Italy Names Forza Italia's Brancher As New Federalism Minister". NASDAQ. 18 June 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
8. 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.
9. "Napolitano: Brancher si faccia processare" (in Italian). Il Secolo XIX. 25 June 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
10. Rosario Murgida (5 July 2010). "Italy Minister Brancher To Resign, Stand Trial In Antonveneta Case". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 10 July 2010.