Italy 's former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is serving a four - year sentence for electoral fraud . Prosecutors had been seeking a five-year ban , but the lower court will have to review this part of the sentence , and will probably issue a three-year ban . However , he will serve only one year due to an amnesty cutting down on prison sentences . Berlusconi has 30 days to choose between house arrest or military service . He will be ineligible to hold public office after he serves this sentence .
Italy 's former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is serving a four - year sentence for electoral fraud . However , he will serve only one year due to an amnesty cutting down on prison sentences . Berlusconi has 30 days to choose between house arrest or military service . He will be ineligible to hold public office after he serves this sentence .