(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The Italian left and right are splitting voters ahead of a national election, according to a poll by Lorien Consulting. 35.9 per cent of respondents would vote for the centre-right Italian People of Freedom Party (PdL) in next month’s ballot, while 33.5 per cent would support the centre-left Democratic Party (PD).
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The Italian left and right are splitting voters ahead of a national election, according to a poll by Lorien Consulting. 35.9 per cent of respondents would vote for the centre-right Italian People of Freedom Party (PdL) in next month’s ballot, while 33.5 per cent would support the centre-left Democratic Party (PD).
The Left Rainbow (SA) is third with 8.4 per cent, followed by the Union of the Centre with 7.4 per cent, the Northern League (LN) and Movement for Autonomy (MPA) with 6.5 per cent, Italy of Values (Lista di Pietro) with 3.1 per cent, and Storace’s Right (La D di S) with 2.1 per cent.
Italian voters renewed the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate in April 2006. The Union (Unione) of centre-left parties, led by Romano Prodi, secured 348 seats in the lower house and 158 seats in the upper house. The victory put an end to the government of the centre-right House of Freedom (Casa), headed by Silvio Berlusconi.
In May 2006, Prodi was formally appointed as prime minister. The Union leader had previously served as head of government from May 1996 to October 1998.
In January 2008, Prodi lost a confidence vote in Parliament and was forced to step down. After Senate president Franco Marini failed in his bid to form a caretaker administration, a legislative election was scheduled for Apr. 13 and Apr. 14.
In October 2007, former Rome mayor Walter Veltroni assembled the Democratic Party (PD) with several centre-left political organizations. In November, Berlusconi announced the creation of the Italian People of Freedom Party (PdL).
On Mar. 10, Prodi announced his complete retirement from public service, saying, "I am finished with Italian politics and possibly also with politics in general. The world is full of opportunities, there is always something new to do."
Polling Data
If the election were held today, which party would you vote for?
|
Italian People of Freedom Party (PdL) |
35.9% |
|
Democratic Party (PD) |
33.5% |
|
Left Rainbow (SA) |
8.4% |
|
Union of the Centre |
7.4% |
|
Northern League (LN) and |
6.5% |
|
Italy of Values (Lista di Pietro) |
3.1% |
|
The Right (La Destra) |
2.1% |
|
Other parties |
3.0% |
Source: Lorien Consulting
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,500 Italian adults, conducted from Mar. 3 to Mar. 6, 2008. No margin of error was provided.
