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Silvio Berlusconi loses Milan and Naples in local polls Silvio Berlusconi loses Milan and Naples in local polls
(about 1 hour later)
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right coalition has lost control of Milan and Naples in local elections.Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right coalition has lost control of Milan and Naples in local elections.
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.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.
Centre-left candidate Giuliano Pisapia won in Milan with about 55% of the vote over Mayor Letizia Moratti.Centre-left candidate Giuliano Pisapia won in Milan with about 55% of the vote over Mayor Letizia Moratti.
Milan, Mr Berlusconi's powerbase, has been run by conservatives for 18 years.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.The city, Italy's financial capital, is Mr Berlusconi's birthplace and where he got his start in business and politics.
'Carry on'
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.
Ms Moratti got 45% of the vote in Milan.
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 Lettieri, with 35%.
Mr Lettiere had been seen as the favourite but failed to win an outright majority in the first round of voting earlier in May.
Losing Milan will hurt Silvio Berlusconi hard in his heart - but is unlikely to lead to any early earthquake on the Italian political landscape.Losing Milan will hurt Silvio Berlusconi hard in his heart - but is unlikely to lead to any early earthquake on the Italian political landscape.
It is his hometown and his political heartland: the place where his political project came to life in the early 1990s.It is his hometown and his political heartland: the place where his political project came to life in the early 1990s.
Losing Milan also matters because it is Italy's business capital - the second most important city in the land and the place that used to claim to be the country's moral capital.Losing Milan also matters because it is Italy's business capital - the second most important city in the land and the place that used to claim to be the country's moral capital.
The defeat also suggests that the dour Milanese may have had enough of their prime minister's alleged shenanigans - especially if they suspect that he has taken his eye off most Italians' top priority: sorting out the country's somnolent economy.The defeat also suggests that the dour Milanese may have had enough of their prime minister's alleged shenanigans - especially if they suspect that he has taken his eye off most Italians' top priority: sorting out the country's somnolent economy.
There is little immediate likelihood of a challenge to Silvio Berlusconi, either from his political opponents or friends.There is little immediate likelihood of a challenge to Silvio Berlusconi, either from his political opponents or friends.
He has already said he would see his government programme through to 2013 regardless of the outcome.He has already said he would see his government programme through to 2013 regardless of the outcome.
There is no obvious successor in his own coalition ranks and the left is still wandering the political wilderness looking for a leader who can offer voters a credible alternative to Mr Berlusconi.There is no obvious successor in his own coalition ranks and the left is still wandering the political wilderness looking for a leader who can offer voters a credible alternative to Mr Berlusconi.
'Slap in the face' Ms Moratti got 45% of the vote in Milan.
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 Lettieri, with 35%.
Mr Lettiere had been seen as the favourite but failed to win an outright majority in the first round of voting earlier in May.
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.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. "It's clear we have lost. The only thing to do is to hold our nerve and carry on," Mr Berlusconi told journalists with him on a trip to Romania.
He said the vote was a "slap in the face" to the government, which would now have to work on regaining popular support. He said he had spoken to Northern League leader Umberto Bossi, who told him the government would stand and carry on with plans to the government's budget deficit.
The prime minister said before the vote that to lose in Milan was "unthinkable" and called the city election a referendum on his leadership.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.