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Italy returns Berlusconi to power | Italy returns Berlusconi to power |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Centre-right leader Silvio Berlusconi has warned of "difficult months ahead" after winning Italy's general election. | Centre-right leader Silvio Berlusconi has warned of "difficult months ahead" after winning Italy's general election. |
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, 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. |
The decisive victory gives him a third term as prime minister. | The decisive victory gives him a third term as prime minister. |
After being congratulated by defeated rival Walter Veltroni, the media mogul said he would work with the opposition to pass much-needed economic reforms. | 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 polls were held three years ahead of schedule following 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. |
Mr Berlusconi's new government will be Italy's 62nd since World War II. | Mr Berlusconi's new government will be Italy's 62nd since World War II. |
With virtually all of the votes counted, the interior ministry said Mr Berlusconi's party had taken 47% of the vote, compared with 38% for Mr Veltroni's centre-left, in both the Senate and the lower Chamber of Deputies. | |
Interior ministry figures In pictures: Italian electionSend us your comments | |
That translates into a 101-seat lead in the Chamber, and a 38-seat advantage in the Senate. | That translates into a 101-seat lead in the Chamber, and a 38-seat advantage in the Senate. |
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. | 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. |
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 a telephone call to Rai TV on Monday night, Mr Berlusconi said his slimmed-down cabinet would have 12 ministers, including four women. | In a telephone call to Rai TV on Monday night, Mr Berlusconi said his slimmed-down cabinet would have 12 ministers, including four women. |
But isn't he a corrupt buffoon, you may ask? Robin Lustig's blog Read Robin's thoughts in full | But isn't he a corrupt buffoon, you may ask? Robin Lustig's blog Read Robin's thoughts in full |
He added that he was moved by the faith that so many citizens had placed in him. | 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 debt | Massive debt |
Mr Berlusconi said his immediate priorities would be settling the future 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 settling the future of the loss-making national airline Alitalia and the crisis caused by uncollected mountains of rubbish in Naples. |
His government also faces the task of reviving Italy's ailing economy, with zero growth forecast for the coming year. | His government also faces the task of reviving Italy's ailing economy, with zero growth forecast for the coming year. |
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, he has 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 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 previous terms as prime minister, last resigning in May 2006 after losing a bitterly contested election. | Mr Berlusconi has served two previous terms as prime minister, last resigning in May 2006 after losing a bitterly contested election. |
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. |