Italians head to polls as Europe watches
European capitals will be watching closely since, whatever the result, there is likely to be a change from outgoing technocratic premier Mario Monti’s agenda of austerity and economic reforms.
Italians head to the polls on Sunday and Monday for their first general election since the ousting of Silvio Berlusconi amid a climate of economic crisis and fears of fresh political instability.
European capitals will be watching closely since, whatever the result, there is likely to be a change from outgoing technocratic premier Mario Monti’s agenda of austerity and economic reforms.
The most likely winner is centre-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani who says he will stick to Monti’s budget rigour but also create more growth and jobs as Italy endures its longest recession in 20 years.
But the scandal-tainted Berlusconi, a three-time prime minister who is also a defendant in two trials for tax fraud and having sex with an underage prostitute, could come a close second.
With his showman interview skills, Berlusconi has taken to the airwaves for two months straight and has risen sharply in the polls with a promise to reimburse Italians an unpopular property tax.
He has also won votes by blaming a “hegemonic” Germany for Italy’s woes.