This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-43272700
The article has changed 32 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Next version
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Italy election: Polls open in unpredictable contest | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Italians are voting after a divisive campaign dominated by concerns over immigration and the economy. | |
| Correspondents say it is hard to say who will come out on top in an unpredictable contest. | Correspondents say it is hard to say who will come out on top in an unpredictable contest. |
| The anti-establishment Five Star Movement, ruling Democratic Party and ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi's right-wing coalition have all predicted victory. | The anti-establishment Five Star Movement, ruling Democratic Party and ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi's right-wing coalition have all predicted victory. |
| But Mr Berlusconi, 81, cannot himself hold public office until next year due to a tax fraud conviction. | But Mr Berlusconi, 81, cannot himself hold public office until next year due to a tax fraud conviction. |
| The four-time prime minister - who has allied himself with the anti-immigrant League party - has backed European Parliament President Antonio Tajani as his choice to lead the country. | The four-time prime minister - who has allied himself with the anti-immigrant League party - has backed European Parliament President Antonio Tajani as his choice to lead the country. |
| Opinion polls were banned in the last two weeks of the campaign but surveys before that suggested Mr Berlusconi's alliance was in front but would not win a majority. | Opinion polls were banned in the last two weeks of the campaign but surveys before that suggested Mr Berlusconi's alliance was in front but would not win a majority. |
| Five Star is widely expected by pollsters to emerge as the single biggest party. | Five Star is widely expected by pollsters to emerge as the single biggest party. |
| What are the key issues? | What are the key issues? |
| Immigration | Immigration |
| More than 600,000 migrants have made the treacherous journey from Libya across the Mediterranean to reach Italy since 2013. | More than 600,000 migrants have made the treacherous journey from Libya across the Mediterranean to reach Italy since 2013. |
| The huge number of arrivals has upset many Italians - with politicians, including from the mainstream, toughening their rhetoric as a result. | The huge number of arrivals has upset many Italians - with politicians, including from the mainstream, toughening their rhetoric as a result. |
| Mr Berlusconi has called the presence of illegal migrants a "social time-bomb" and pledges mass deportations. | Mr Berlusconi has called the presence of illegal migrants a "social time-bomb" and pledges mass deportations. |
| The campaign has seen violent clashes between far-right supporters and anti-fascist protesters | The campaign has seen violent clashes between far-right supporters and anti-fascist protesters |
| The economy | The economy |
| Italy's economy has started to expand once again but nearly 10 years on from the Global Financial Crisis, Italy's gross domestic product - or total economic output - remains 5.7% lower than pre-crisis levels. | Italy's economy has started to expand once again but nearly 10 years on from the Global Financial Crisis, Italy's gross domestic product - or total economic output - remains 5.7% lower than pre-crisis levels. |
| In 2016, some 18 million people were at risk of poverty, and unemployment is at 11%. | In 2016, some 18 million people were at risk of poverty, and unemployment is at 11%. |
| Economic policy has been a key battleground but observers say they have heard more from parties about pensioners than youths, which could be due to young voters' high vote abstention rates. | Economic policy has been a key battleground but observers say they have heard more from parties about pensioners than youths, which could be due to young voters' high vote abstention rates. |
| Why is this election important? | Why is this election important? |
| Italy is the EU's fourth-largest economy and the potential gains by populist and far-right parties is a major concern in some European capitals and in Brussels. | Italy is the EU's fourth-largest economy and the potential gains by populist and far-right parties is a major concern in some European capitals and in Brussels. |
| Contenders have lined up to blame EU budget rules for hampering economic recovery. Five Star and the League had promised to hold a referendum to leave the euro but dropped that rhetoric. | Contenders have lined up to blame EU budget rules for hampering economic recovery. Five Star and the League had promised to hold a referendum to leave the euro but dropped that rhetoric. |
| Steve Bannon - who helped Donald Trump win the White House - told the New York Times that Italy's election was "pure populism". | Steve Bannon - who helped Donald Trump win the White House - told the New York Times that Italy's election was "pure populism". |
| Who's running? | Who's running? |
| When will we know the result? | When will we know the result? |
| Voting will be held from 07:00 to 23:00 (0600-2200 GMT) on Sunday, with exit polls to follow when polling stations close. | Voting will be held from 07:00 to 23:00 (0600-2200 GMT) on Sunday, with exit polls to follow when polling stations close. |
| Official results are expect in the early hours of Monday. | Official results are expect in the early hours of Monday. |
| More on Italy's vote: | More on Italy's vote: |