Berlusconi , 76 , resigned as prime minister in November amid his country 's debt crisis , bringing to an apparent end an 18-year era in which he dominated Italian politics . Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Orlando calls sentence ` ` political '' He is likely to appeal the sentence handed down by a Milan court . He resigned as prime minister in protest over his country 's debt crisis . Berlusconi has faced a number of legal challenges over the years .
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Orlando calls sentence ` ` political '' He is likely to appeal the sentence handed down by a Milan court . He resigned as prime minister in protest over his country 's debt crisis . Berlusconi has faced a number of legal challenges over the years .