Aldo Brancher

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]

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]