Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Regional elections in Tuscany see centre-left president Claudio Martini win a second term
in office, with a landslide victory, reconfirming Tuscany as Italy's true bastion of the left.
2007
Almost a decade after the renovation project was announced, the first crane is spotted
above Florence's Uffizi gallery. The multimillion-euro project will double the gallery size.
Completion date unknown.
2008
Silvio Berlusconi and his right-wing allies triumph in the national elections. Tuscany's tra-
ditional support of leftist candidates and parties is diluted, with support for the Rainbow
Left coalition falling dramatically.
2009
Italy's Constitutional Court overturns a law giving Berlusconi immunity from persecution
while in office, opening the possibility that he could stand trial in several court cases. He
refuses to resign.
2010
Regional elections see a new centre-left president, Enrico Rossi, in power for a five-year
term; the next elections will be held in 2015.
2011
Skilled economist Mario Monti is drafted in as prime minister to head a government of un-
elected technocrats, introducing tough austerity measures in a bid to stave off economic
disaster.
2011-13
Berlusconi stands trial for sex with an underage prostitute, abusing power, tax fraud and
breaching confidentiality. He is found guilty of all four crimes.
