Berlusconi headed for victory in Italian elections (Roundup)

Apr 14, 2008, 17:41 GMT

Electoral workers check ballot papers at a polling station in Genoa, Italy, 14 April 2008. EPA/LUCA ZENNARO

Rome - Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right coalition was Monday headed for victory in Italy's general election after being credited with a lead over Walter Veltroni's Democratic Party.

According to projections by the Interior Ministry, Berlusconi's coalition led the Senate race with around 46 per cent, compared with around 38 per cent for his centre-left rival.

If confirmed, this would give Berlusconi a small majority in the 322-strong upper house.

Most observers had expected a tight race in the Senate, but in a tell-tale sign, Berlusconi was tipped to have won in Lazio, one of Italy's key swing regions.

Initial projections also gave Berlusconi the edge in the lower house of parliament, the Chamber of Deputies.

The winning coalition receives a bonus number of seats in the lower house, however small its lead is.

If confirmed, Monday's preliminary results would project the 71- year-old Berlusconi to a third stint as prime minister since his decision to enter politics 14 years ago.

The media-mogul-turned-politician won his first election in 1994, and again in 2001.

Veltroni, who took over the sceptre of leading the centre-left from outgoing premier Romano Prodi, performed better than many had predicted.

But he appeared to have paid the price for severing ties with the far-left, which had proved decisive in defeating Berlusconi in both 1996 and 2006.

The next government, which will be installed after consultations with head of state President Giorgio Napolitano, will be called to tackle Italy's deep economic woes. These include near-zero growth, rising inflation, a high budget deficit, falling competitiveness and low consumer confidence.

Voter turnout was marginally lower than registered in the last general elections but still topped 80 per cent, Interior Ministry figures showed.

Of the dozens of parties that contested the vote while not forging alliances with either of the two main contenders, the centrist Catholic Union of the Centre (UDC) and the Left Rainbow leftist coalition were both credited with a support rate of around 5 per cent each.

If confirmed, this would allow them a small presence in the Chamber of Deputies, but not necessarily in the Senate.