(08/28/05) -

Italians Disappointed with Current Political Parties

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in Italy believe their country’s political organizations are not particularly appealing, according to a poll by Arnaldo Ferrari Nasi published in Il Giornale. 67.8 per cent of respondents believe no party truly represents them.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in Italy believe their country’s political organizations are not particularly appealing, according to a poll by Arnaldo Ferrari Nasi published in Il Giornale. 67.8 per cent of respondents believe no party truly represents them.

In the 2001 election to the Chamber of Deputies, Silvio Berlusconi’s centre-right House of Freedom (Casa) elected 282 lawmakers to the 475-seat Chamber of Deputies, the largest majority for an Italian government since World War II. Recent voting intention polls show the opposition Union (Unione) of centre-left parties in first place.

In June, the Union agreed to choose their leader and prospective candidate for prime minister in a primary election on Oct. 16. Former president of the European Commission Romano Prodi is considered the favourite in the internal ballot. The next election to the Chamber of Deputies is tentatively scheduled for May 2006.

Earlier this year, Berlusconi suggested merging the five House of Freedom parties—including his own Forwards Italy (Forza Italia)—into a single political organization before the next ballot. 63.6 per cent of respondents believe it would be better to have only one centre-right party and one centre-left party in Italy.

Polling Data

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? – There is currently no party that truly represents me.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? – It would be better to have only one centre-right party and one centre-left party in Italy.