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Italy election: Projection points to hung parliament Italy election: Projections point to hung parliament
(about 2 hours later)
Italy is on course for a hung parliament after voters backed right-leaning and populist parties, a vote projection released by state TV suggests. Italy is on course for a hung parliament after voters backed right-wing and populist parties, vote projections based on partial results suggest.
Based on votes counted by 0230 GMT, ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right coalition looks set to win the most seats in the lower house of parliament. Ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi's right-wing coalition looks set to win the most seats in the lower house of parliament.
It is tipped to get 248-268 seats - below the 316 needed for a majority.It is tipped to get 248-268 seats - below the 316 needed for a majority.
Forming a government may now take weeks of negotiation and coalition-building.Forming a government may now take weeks of negotiation and coalition-building.
Alternatively, fresh elections could be held in a bid to produce a more decisive result - though there is no guarantee that would happen.Alternatively, fresh elections could be held in a bid to produce a more decisive result - though there is no guarantee that would happen.
Vote projection figures put the anti-establishment Five Star Movement in second place. It has made significant gains and could emerge as the largest single party, with 216-236 lower house seats. What does the result mean?
A centre-left coalition led by the governing Democratic Party stands in third place, with a projected 107-127 seats - its prospects battered by public anger over unemployment and immigration. Italian daily newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano is running a front-page headline saying simply: "Everything will change."
Though no party will be able to rule alone based on the early poll figures, the surge of support for populist outfits has been compared with Brexit and the election of Donald Trump in the US.
Vote projection figures put the Eurosceptic, anti-establishment Five Star Movement in second place, after the centre-right coalition.
It made significant gains and could emerge as the largest single party in Italy's lower house, with 216-236 seats.
Public anger over unemployment and immigration appears to have battered the ruling Democratic Party. Its centre-left coalition is projected to come a distant third, with an estimated 107-127 seats.
"It is clear to us that this is a blatant and clear defeat" said Agriculture Minister Maurizio Martina.
Final confirmed results are not expected for several hours.Final confirmed results are not expected for several hours.
BBC Europe editor Katya Adler tweeted that it is "theoretically possible for the EU's nightmare result to come true: a coalition between the 'populist Eurosceptics': Five Star and Lega [the League party]".BBC Europe editor Katya Adler tweeted that it is "theoretically possible for the EU's nightmare result to come true: a coalition between the 'populist Eurosceptics': Five Star and Lega [the League party]".
The surge in support for populist parties has prompted comparisons to Brexit and the election of Donald Trump in the US. Voting for Italy's Senate, the upper house of parliament, also favoured populists and parties of the right. Five Star performed better than anticipated, with figures based on early vote counting suggesting it will take the most seats - around 102-122, but miss out on a majority.
"The European Union is going to have a bad night," tweeted Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far-right National Front. The right-wing coalition is predicted to get 118-150 seats in the upper house, and the Democratic Party 42-54.
Voting for Italy's Senate, the upper house of parliament, also favoured populists and parties of the right. Five Star seems to have performed better than anticipated, with figures based on early vote counting suggesting it will take the most seats - around 102-122, under the 158 needed for a majority. Berlusconi's party outshone by allies
The centre-right coalition is predicted to get 118-150 seats in the upper house, and the Democratic Party 42-54. The bloc backed by Mr Berlusconi includes his Forza Italia (Go Italy!) party, the anti-immigrant League, and the far-right Brothers of Italy.
Who's in Berlusconi's coalition? Mr Berlusconi, 81, cannot hold public office himself until next year because of a tax fraud conviction.
The centre-right bloc backed by Mr Berlusconi includes his Forza Italia (Go Italy!) party, the anti-immigrant League, and the far-right Brothers of Italy. And in a personal blow for him, Forza Italia looks likely to have been outdone by its ally, the League.
Mr Berlusconi, 81, cannot hold public office himself until next year due to a tax fraud conviction. "My first words: THANK YOU," tweeted League leader Matteo Salvini as projections rolled in.
The four-time prime minister has backed European Parliament President Antonio Tajani as his choice to lead the country. Four-time prime minister Mr Berlusconi has backed European Parliament President Antonio Tajani as his choice to lead the country.
League leader Matteo Salvini, who has promised to deport hundreds of thousands of migrants and spoken of the "danger" of Islam, is also believed to be eyeing the job. However, it is possible Mr Salvini - who has promised to deport hundreds of thousands of migrants and spoken of the "danger" of Islam, will now be eyeing the job.
What are the other parties?What are the other parties?
The anti-establishment Five Star party was founded in 2009 by comedian Beppe Grillo, who denounced cronyism in Italian politics. Current leader Luigi Di Maio has pledged a universal basic income schemeThe anti-establishment Five Star party was founded in 2009 by comedian Beppe Grillo, who denounced cronyism in Italian politics. Current leader Luigi Di Maio has pledged a universal basic income scheme
Matteo Renzi's Democratic Party has partnered with three smaller parties to form a centre-left, pro-EU bloc that has staked its campaign on proposals to revive the economy. Mr Renzi resigned as PM in December 2016.Matteo Renzi's Democratic Party has partnered with three smaller parties to form a centre-left, pro-EU bloc that has staked its campaign on proposals to revive the economy. Mr Renzi resigned as PM in December 2016.
How was the turnout?How was the turnout?
Officials estimated voter turnout at more than 58% on Sunday evening, with several hours of voting still to go.Officials estimated voter turnout at more than 58% on Sunday evening, with several hours of voting still to go.
Long queues were seen at voting centres around the country, with residents in Rome asked to turn up well before polls closed at 23:00 (22:00 GMT) to make sure they had time to cast their ballots.Long queues were seen at voting centres around the country, with residents in Rome asked to turn up well before polls closed at 23:00 (22:00 GMT) to make sure they had time to cast their ballots.
The delays are thought to have been caused by a new voting system and new in-depth, anti-fraud checks.The delays are thought to have been caused by a new voting system and new in-depth, anti-fraud checks.
In Palermo, Sicily, 200,000 ballots had to be reprinted because of errors, which led to a delay in some polls opening.In Palermo, Sicily, 200,000 ballots had to be reprinted because of errors, which led to a delay in some polls opening.
What are the key issues?What are the key issues?
ImmigrationImmigration
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 economyThe 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 gains by populist and far-right parties are a major concern in some European capitals and in Brussels.Italy is the EU's fourth-largest economy and the gains by populist and far-right parties are 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 later 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".
More on Italy's vote:More on Italy's vote: