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Italy election: Voters cast ballots in unpredictable contest Italy election: Early exit polls point to hung parliament
(about 4 hours later)
Italians are voting after a divisive election campaign dominated by concerns over immigration and the economy. Voting has now closed in Italy, in one of the most uncertain elections in living memory.
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.
The anti-establishment Five Star Movement, ruling Democratic Party and ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi's right-wing coalition have all predicted victory. Early exit polls suggest a hung parliament is likely, and that ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right coalition is set to win the most seats.
But Mr Berlusconi, 81, cannot himself hold public office until next year due to a tax fraud conviction. The anti-establishment 5-Star Movement is in second place according to the exit polls, and looks likely to be the largest single party.
The centre-right bloc includes Mr Berlusconi's Forza Italia (Go Italy!) party, the eurosceptic League, and Brothers of Italy. Initial projections suggest it will not get the absolute majority required to govern.
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 centre-right party and right-wing allies would emerge as the biggest bloc, but would not win a majority. Italy has seen a divisive election campaign dominated by concerns over immigration and the economy.
Five Star is widely expected by pollsters to emerge as the single biggest party. Officials at 19:00 (18:00 GMT) said that voter turnout stood at more than 58%, with several hours still to go.
Officials at 19:00 (18:00 GMT) said that turnout stood at more than 58%, with several hours of voting still to go. Long queues were seen at voting centres around the country, with residents in Rome being asked to turn up well before polls closed at 23:00 (22:00 GMT) to make sure they had time to cast their ballot.
Long queues have been seen at voting centres around the country, with residents in Rome being asked to turn up well before polls close at 23:00 (22:00 GMT) to make sure they have time to cast their ballot.
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 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?
Exit polls will follow shortly after polling stations close at 23:00 (22:00 GMT).
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: