Italy's centre-left coalition leads Berlusconi camp in key elections
Initial results show centre-left coalition heading towards a majority in the lower house, with Berlusconi's camp gaining control of the Senate
Italy's crucial elections appeared to be heading towards political gridlock, initial results showed, with the centre-left forces of Pier Luigi Bersani closing in on victory in the lower house of Parliament and the camp of former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi gaining the upper hand in the equally powerful Senate.
The upstart protest campaign of comedian turned politician Beppe Grillo was also showing a stunningly strong result in both houses of the legislature, confirming its surprise role as a force in Italian politics.
The projections on RAI, Sky, Mediaset and LA 7 television stations were the reverse of earlier predictions from telephone polls that showed the centre-left taking a strong lead in both houses of Parliament.
The change in predictions had an immediate impact on markets, which rose earlier on hopes of a stable and strong government led by the centre-left.
Such a government, probably backed by outgoing technocrat Prime Minister Mario Monti, is seen as the best guarantee of measures to combat a deep recession and stagnant growth.
Berlusconi's aim is to win enough power in the Senate to paralyse a government led by the centre-left.