Opposition slams La Russa over judiciary comments

(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 21 - Members of the opposition on Monday slammed Senate Speaker Ignazio La Russa for saying the roles of the judicial and political powers should be redefined, possibly through a constitutional law.
    "La Russa is always the same, despite his role", said the PD whip in the Lower House's Labour committee, Arturo Scotto.
    "A man with (Benito) Mussolini's bust at home.
    "A fascist who never repented.
    "Now he is saying that the Constitution must be changed to redefine the confines between the judiciary and politics - northing new, he only mistook the two decades in question", said Scotto, referring to the decades of the Fascist regime.
    Meanwhile Green Europe spokesman and Green Left Alliance (AVS) lawmaker Angelo Bonelli called for La Russa's resignation.
    "The second highest office of the State - the man who would have to replace the President of the Republic, if unavailable, who is also president of CSM", the judiciary's self-governing body, "has also unfortunately opened a conflict with the judiciary", said Bonelli.
    "The Senate speaker intervenes like a party leader asking the Right in government to change the Constitution to place the judiciary under the government's control", said bonelli, calling for La Russa's resignation.
    Italian Left (SI) leader Nicola Fratoianni also accused La Russa of "attacking the judiciary" and of "wanting to change the Constitution".
    "This Right has never resisted the temptation of bending institutions for their interests.
    "Their design is clear, they want to change the constitutional asset of the country to further concentrate powers - we can't allow it", said Fratoianni. (ANSA).