Legal Commentary

This story reports Italy's rejection of the EU's "statement against persecution of religious minorities" because of what Italy claims to be the studied failure to reference the persecution of Christians.  Italy was supported by France (vraiment??) in its rejection of the statement, which it felt to be too "secular."

On a related matter, I've been waiting for the Lautsi appeal to come down for some time now -- anybody have the inside track on when it'll be decided, or what the delay might mean (perhaps a bit of in-fighting at the ECtHR)?  Anyone have the over/under on affirmance?  I'm looking forward to the Italian reaction to what I predict will be an affirmation of the Court's hugely unpopular (at least in Italy) earlier decision.