Sicily leader resigns following jail sentence

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2008

PALERMO, Italy (AFP) — Right-wing Sicilian leader Salvatore Cuffaro succumbed to pressure Saturday, announcing he would resign from office after being sentenced to prison for collusion with people linked to the Mafia.

"I prefer the path of humility. I am doing this so as not to betray my ideals, for my family and as a final act of respect toward the Sicilians," Cuffaro, the regional president of Sicily, announced in Palermo.

He also said he sensed a "growing hostility" toward him on the part of regional lawmakers.

The announcement represents a reversal for Cuffaro, who earlier said he would hang on to his post and appeal his five-year prison sentence of January 18.

Since then, leftist lawmakers have demanded his resignation, although Cuffaro is still...