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Silvio Berlusconi 'loses key cities' in local elections | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right coalition has lost control of Milan and Naples, early projections suggest after local polls. | |
Italians were voting in run-off polls for local elections seen as a major test for the embattled prime minister. | |
Milan, Italy's financial capital, is Mr Berlusconi's home city and power base. | |
If confirmed, it would be the first time in two decades Mr Berlusconi has lost control of the city. His coalition fared badly in the first round. | |
Some six million voters were eligible to cast their ballots in 90 towns and six provinces, but the results in Milan and Naples are seen as most important. | |
Projections published by Italian media indicated leftist candidate Giuliano Pisapia with a lead of about 53.5% in Milan over pro-Berlusconi incumbent Mayor Letizia Moratti, with 46.5%. | |
In Naples, Luigi de Magistris of the Italy of Values party was projected to have about 60% of the vote, well ahead of centre-right candidate Mario Lettieri, who had been seen as the favourite. | |
Analysts say a loss in Milan would threaten the coalition of Mr Berlusconi's People of Freedom party (PDL) with the Northern League, which has become increasingly disenchanted with Mr Berlusconi. | |
The prime minister said previously that to lose in Milan was "unthinkable" and called the city election a referendum on his leadership. | |
Campaigning became increasingly vicious before the vote, with Mr Berlusconi warning that Milan would be turned into "Gypsytown" if Ms Moratti was defeated. | |
Earlier in May, five TV stations - including several owned by Mr Berlusconi's Mediaset - were fined by Italian regulators for giving Mr Berlusconi more coverage than his opponents. | |
The elections are the first big test he has faced since the start of several corruption trials and scandals - including allegations of having had sex with an underage prostitute. | |