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Silvio Berlusconi 'loses key cities' in local elections Silvio Berlusconi loses Milan and Naples in local polls
(about 3 hours later)
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right coalition has lost control of Milan and Naples, early projections suggest after local polls. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right coalition has lost control of Milan and Naples in local elections.
Italians were voting in run-off polls for local elections seen as a major test for the embattled prime minister. The run-off polls are being seen as a key test of Mr Berlusconi's popularity, as he faces multiple corruption trials and sex scandals.
Milan, Italy's financial capital, is Mr Berlusconi's home city and power base. Centre-left candidate Giuliano Pisapia won in Milan with about 55% of the vote over Mayor Letizia Moratti.
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. Milan, Mr Berlusconi's powerbase, has been run by conservatives for 18 years.
The city, Italy's financial capital, is Mr Berlusconi's birthplace and where he got his start in business and politics.
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.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%. Ms Moratti got 45% of the vote in Milan.
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. In Naples, Luigi de Magistris of the Italy of Values party won by a landslide with 65% of the vote over Mr Berlusconi's candidate, Gianni Lettiere, with 35%.
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. Mr Lettiere had been seen as the favourite but failed to win an outright majority in the first round of voting earlier in May.
The prime minister said previously that to lose in Milan was "unthinkable" and called the city election a referendum on his leadership. 'Slap in the face'
Analysts say the loss in Milan could threaten the coalition of Mr Berlusconi's People of Freedom party (PDL) with the Northern League, which has become increasingly disenchanted with the prime minister.
On a visit to Romania with Mr Berlusconi on Monday, Interior Minister Roberto Maroni, from the Northern League, said the government would not fall, Reuters news agency reported.
He said the vote was a "slap in the face" to the government, which would now have to work on regaining popular support.
The prime minister said before the vote 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.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.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.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.