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Berlusconi declares election win Italy returns Berlusconi to power
(about 6 hours later)
Centre-right leader Silvio Berlusconi warned of "difficult months ahead" as he declared a decisive victory in Italy's general election. Centre-right leader Silvio Berlusconi has warned of "difficult months ahead" after winning Italy's general election.
The 71-one-year-old media mogul said he was willing to work with the opposition to pass much needed economic reforms. Mr Berlusconi, who is due to return to Rome from his home in northern Italy on Tuesday, won control of both the senate and lower house of parliament.
Mr Berlusconi spoke soon after rival Walter Veltroni admitted defeat. The decisive victory gives him a third term as prime minister.
The results return Mr Berlusconi for a third term in office as Italian prime minister. His new government will be Italy's 62nd since World War II. After being congratulated by defeated rival Walter Veltroni, the media mogul said he would work with the opposition to pass much needed economic reforms.
The vote was held three years ahead of schedule after the collapse of Romano Prodi's centre-left coalition. The polls were held three years ahead of schedule following the collapse of Romano Prodi's centre-left coalition.
'Affectionate kiss' Mr Berlusconi's new government will be Italy's 62nd since World War II.
With most results counted, the interior ministry said Mr Berlusconi's centre-right had taken 47% in the Senate, compared to 38% for the centre-left. Faith of citizens
Official results showed the tycoon's coalition had won 46.5% of the vote in the lower house Chamber of Deputies, while the centre-left was trailing on nearly 38%. With virtually all of the votes counted, the interior ministry said Mr Berlusconi's party had taken 47% in the Senate, compared with 38% for Mr Veltroni's centre-left.
PROJECTED RESULTS CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES (630 SEATS): Centre-right bloc 46.5%; Centre-left bloc 37.8% SENATE (315 SEATS): Centre-right bloc 47.2%; Centre-left bloc 38.1%
Interior ministry figures class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7347658.stm">In pictures: Italian election class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4616&edition=1&ttl=20080414173224">Send us your comments 		Official results showed the tycoon's coalition had also won 47% of the vote in the lower house Chamber of Deputies, with the centre-left trailing on 38%.
But while his supporters celebrated, the streets of Rome were relatively quiet on Monday night, says the BBC's Jonny Dymond in the Italian capital. PROJECTED RESULTS CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES (630 SEATS): Centre-right bloc 47%; Centre-left bloc 38% SENATE (315 SEATS): Centre-right bloc 47%; Centre-left bloc 38%
Interior ministry figures class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7347658.stm">In pictures: Italian election class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4616&edition=1&ttl=20080414173224">Send us your comments
Few people have much faith in the politicians' ability to change things for the better, our correspondent says, and the mood of many going into this election had been gloomy. The results have reshaped Italian politics, says the BBC's Jonny Dymond in Rome, slashing the number of parties winning representation in the chamber from 26 to as few as six.
Tricky coalition talks are expected in the coming days. In a telephone call to Rai TV, Mr Berlusconi said his slimmed-down cabinet would have 12 ministers, including four women. But, our correspondent adds, Mr Berlusconi will still need to do difficult deals with potential partners. The Northern League, which wants extensive autonomy for Italy's regions, nearly doubled its vote, and without its support Mr Berlusconi would lose his majority.
In his interview, Mr Berlusconi said he was moved by the faith that so many citizens had placed in him. Tricky coalition talks are now expected.
In a telephone call to Rai TV on Monday night, Mr Berlusconi said his slimmed-down cabinet would have 12 ministers, including four women.
He added that he was moved by the faith that so many citizens had placed in him.
"We have difficult months ahead that will require great strength," he said."We have difficult months ahead that will require great strength," he said.
Before ringing off, he added: "An affectionate kiss to all Italians."Before ringing off, he added: "An affectionate kiss to all Italians."
Massive debtMassive debt
Mr Berlusconi said his immediate priorities would be the sale of the loss-making national airline Alitalia and the crisis caused by uncollected mountains of rubbish in Naples.Mr Berlusconi said his immediate priorities would be the sale of the loss-making national airline Alitalia and the crisis caused by uncollected mountains of rubbish in Naples.
The next government also faces the task of reviving Italy's ailing economy, with zero growth forecast for the coming year. Mr Veltroni narrowed Mr Berlusconi's poll lead but it was not enough
The BBC's David Willey in Rome says the winner could find he has been passed a poisoned chalice, perhaps explaining why neither leader seemed very keen to win this lacklustre campaign. His government also faces the task of reviving Italy's ailing economy, with zero growth forecast for the coming year.
Mr Veltroni narrowed Mr Berlusconi's lead in polls but it was not enough Although Italy is saddled with a massive public debt, he has promised tax cuts and handouts to voters.
Although Italy is saddled with a massive public debt, both leading candidates had promised tax cuts and handouts to voters.
Italy's economy has been suffering from low productivity and a strong euro, and analysts say young people, pensioners and low-income workers are feeling the pressure.Italy's economy has been suffering from low productivity and a strong euro, and analysts say young people, pensioners and low-income workers are feeling the pressure.
Some 158 different parties contested the regional and national polls, including Mr Berlusconi's new conservative People of Freedom (PDL) and Mr Veltroni's recently formed Democratic Party (PD).Some 158 different parties contested the regional and national polls, including Mr Berlusconi's new conservative People of Freedom (PDL) and Mr Veltroni's recently formed Democratic Party (PD).
At the start of the campaign, opinion polls gave Mr Berlusconi's bloc a commanding lead, but it had narrowed as the election drew near. At 80%, the final turnout appears to have been lower than in the last election two years ago.
At 80%, the final turnout appears to have been lower than in the last election, two years ago.
Mr Berlusconi has served two terms as prime minister, last resigning in May 2006.Mr Berlusconi has served two terms as prime minister, last resigning in May 2006.
One of Italy's richest men, he is the head of a business empire that spans media, advertising, insurance, food and construction and includes the top flight football club AC Milan. One of Italy's richest men, he is the head of a business empire that spans media, advertising, insurance, food and construction, and includes the top flight football club AC Milan.
Mr Veltroni is a former communist who served for seven years as mayor of Rome before taking over the leadership of the centre-left coalition led by Mr Prodi after his government collapsed in January.