ROME - Allies of Premier Silvio Berlusconi were pushing controversial legislation that would cut the statute of limitations in certain cases, including in one of the Italian leader's trials.
If passed in parliament, the measure would effectively end a corruption trial, in which Berlusconi is accused of bribing British lawyer David Mills, next month as opposed to the beginning of 2012.
The lower house is expected to vote Wednesday; the Senate in coming weeks.
The opposition denounced the measure as the latest piece of legislation tailor-made to save Berlusconi. It says it puts at risks several important cases, such as one following a deadly train explosion in 2009.
Supporters of Berlusconi say the measure helps speed up Italy's clogged judicial system.
