Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says he will remain in politics, following a setback in his battle to keep his seat in the parliament.\n<\/p>\n
œI will always be with you, at your side, expelled from parliament or not,” he said in a TV address before a preliminary vote by a Senate panel on Wednesday.\n<\/p>\n
An Italian Senate committee later on the same day dismissed a recommendation by a senator from Berlusconi™s party that he keep his seat in the assembly.\n<\/p>\n
The decision was the first step in a process that might last for months before any final action is taken by the upper house.\n<\/p>\n
œI didn™t commit any crime. I am not guilty of anything. I am innocent. I am absolutely innocent,” the 76-year-old billionaire added in the address as he accused what he described as leftist judges of plotting against him to pervert democracy.\n<\/p>\n
The ex-premier further urged centre-right voters to rally behind his re-launched Forza Italia party, with which he first entered politics in 1990s.\n<\/p>\n
In August, Italy™s Supreme Court confirmed Berlusconi™s four-year prison term, commuted to one year, for a massive fraud at his Mediaset television empire.\n<\/p>\n
However, due to his age Berlusconi is expected to go into house arrest or do community service.\n<\/p>\n
The committee vote comes after in 2012 Italy™s parliament passed a law that bans anyone who is sentenced to over two years in jail from holding or serving in office for six years.\n<\/p>\n
Berlusconi™s defense team says Italy™s Constitutional Court should evaluate the law, arguing that a six-year ban violates citizens™ rights.\n<\/p>\n
Berlusconi, who served as Italy™s prime minister from 1994 to 2011, resigned after coming under immense pressure to step down for mishandling the Italian economy.\n<\/p>\n
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