Berlusconi, who himself is on trial in a bribery case and who denies wrongdoing, promised the crackdown after a top aide came under investigation in a probe of public contracts.

Justice Minister Angelino Alfano told reporters Monday that the proposed law forbids politicians from running for office, including Parliament, for five years after being convicted of corruption.

A senator from Berlusconi's conservative party, suspected by prosecutors of having a role in money laundering for organized crime, resigned on Monday.