Italians go to polls in local elections
People in Italy have gone to polling stations to take part in local elections, viewed as a popularity test for Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and his ruling center-left government.
On Sunday, millions of voters went to polling stations to vote for governors for seven of the country’s 20 regions and select mayors for over 700 municipalities.
Of the seven regions, five are held by the left, one by the anti-immigration Northern League led by Matteo Salvini, and one by Forza Italia, headed by former premier, Silvio Berlusconi, who is aiming to make a political comeback after involvement in sex abuse and tax fraud scandals.
The vote comes as one of Renzi’s most prominent candidates, Vincenzo De Luca, faces corruption allegations for abuse of power and fraud.
The ruling center-left Democratic Party (PD) is expected to win in Tuscany, Umbria, and Marche in central Italy, and in Puglia in the country's southeast. De Luca is also in a tight race with the center-right in Campania. Meanwhile, the anti-immigrant Northern League is likely to stay in power in the northeastern Veneto region.
Renzi also faces a test in Liguria.
De Luca, who has denied all accusations against him, was listed as an "unrepresentable" candidate by the parliament's anti-mafia committee.
Opinion polls show Renzi’s popularity remains high, a year after he assumed power in February 2014.
The elections are Italy’s first since last year when Renzi’s PD won with over 40 percent of the votes.
As many as 22 million people are eligible to vote. Preliminary results are expected to be released overnight, while final figures are due on Monday.
SZH/HMV/SS
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