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Berlusconi 'surges' in Italy vote Berlusconi makes election gains
(about 7 hours later)
The coalition of Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi has made gains at the expense of the centre-left in regional elections, partial results suggest. The coalition of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has made strong gains from the centre-left in regional polls.
With most votes counted, the coalition has a lead in six of 13 regions where voting took place. It previously controlled only two. Mr Berlusconi's alliance won six of the 13 regions where voting took place, final results show. It previously controlled only two.
The gains came despite Mr Berlusconi's recent personal and political scandals. The gains came despite a series of recent personal and political scandals involving the prime minister.
Officials said turnout had been low by Italy's standards - about 64%, eight percentage points down on last time. The Northern League, a federalist party that opposes immigration, took two regions for the first time.
Photo finishes Officials said turnout had been low by Italy's standards - about 64%, eight percentage points down on the previous regional elections.
Mr Berlusconi's People of Freedom (PDL) party and his allies won two extremely close contests in Rome's Lazio region as well as northern Piedmont, state news agency Ansa reported, with most of the votes counted. Electorate 'disaffected'
BERLUSCONI CONTROVERSIES December: Hit in the face with a model cathedral in Milan, breaking two teeth and fracturing noseOctober: Court overturns law granting PM immunity from prosecution while in officeJuly: Media release audio recordings allegedly of night he spent with an escort; admits "I'm no saint" but denies paying for sexJune: Forced to deny allegations he had paid prostitutes to attend parties at his official residencesJune: Photos published showing topless women and a naked man at his villa in Sardinia and of celebrity using PM's official jetMay: Wife announces she is divorcing him after he attends the 18th birthday of "female friend"April 2009: Tells victims of earthquake they should pretend they are on a "camping weekend" Among the victories for Mr Berlusconi's People of Freedom (PDL) party and its allies were two extremely close contests in Rome's Lazio region and in northern Piedmont.
The anti-immigrant Northern League - which is allied with the PDL - won Veneto, as expected. REGIONAL POLL RESULTS PDL wins: Lazio, Calabria, Campania, LombardiaNorthern League wins: Veneto, PiedmontCentre-left wins: Basilicata, Emilia Romagna, Liguria, Marche, Puglia, Toscana, Umbria
It also appears to have edged ahead of the centre-left in Piedmont, giving it control of two regions in the rich north for the first time. The Northern League - which is allied with the PDL - won Veneto, as expected, as well as edging out the centre-left in Piedmont.
If the results are confirmed, the opposition centre-left will now control seven of the 13 regions, down from 11. It also narrowed the gap on the PDL in Lombardy, the region that includes Milan and Italy's economic heartland.
The vote leaves the opposition centre-left in control of seven of the 13 regions, down from 11.
The turnout - the lowest in 15 years - was a clear sign that Italian voters were disaffected with politics, Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said on Monday.The turnout - the lowest in 15 years - was a clear sign that Italian voters were disaffected with politics, Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said on Monday.
"We should see to it that participation is stronger in the next elections in three years," he said."We should see to it that participation is stronger in the next elections in three years," he said.
Last week, Italian media said the prime minister was being investigated for allegedly trying to pressure the communications watchdog to block state TV chat shows critical of his government.
Mr Berlusconi had already suffered a turbulent 2009, marked by allegations about his friendship with a teenage model and about escort girls attending parties at his residences.Mr Berlusconi had already suffered a turbulent 2009, marked by allegations about his friendship with a teenage model and about escort girls attending parties at his residences.
His wife also filed for divorce, and he suffered a broken nose when a man threw a model of Milan cathedral at his face.His wife also filed for divorce, and he suffered a broken nose when a man threw a model of Milan cathedral at his face.
Last week, Italian media said the prime minister was being investigated for allegedly trying to pressure the communications watchdog to block state TV chat shows critical of his government.
Some 41 million Italians - two-thirds of the population - were eligible to vote in the election.Some 41 million Italians - two-thirds of the population - were eligible to vote in the election.