Italian Prime Minister Mr Silvio Berlusconi is appearing today in a Milan court on corruption charges in his last trial appearance before parliament approves an immunity bill.
Mr Berlusconi had hoped to avoid another hearing in his corruption trial before Italy takes over the presidency of the European Union on July 1st.
But he has been pushed into the courtroom by fears the prosecution would deal him the embarrassment of announcing what prison term it wanted before parliament enacts the immunity law, which will freeze his trial.
He is accused of bribing judges to influence privatisation of the SME food company in the 1980s.
A prosecutor has sought terms of up to 11 years, four months for Mr Berlusconi's original co-defendants. The prime minister's case has been moved to a separate trial because official duties prevented him from attending hearings, halting the trial.
But judges said last week they would press on with today's hearing regardless, opening the way for hearing the prosecution's conclusions.
Hastily re-arranging his agenda, Mr Berlusconi said he would be in court for two hours. The prosecution could then speak but experts believe the defence will force a delay to give parliament time to rubber stamp the immunity bill on tomorrow.
The immunity law, rushed through parliament, means he will not have to return to court until he leaves elected office. His term expires in 2006 although he could seek re-election.
Immunity for politicians was abolished during the "Clean Hands" investigations that rocked Italy in the early 1990s and toppled an political generation.