(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Most people in Italy continue to express support for the governing centre-right parties, according to a poll by Digis. 51.7 per cent of respondents would vote for the Italian People of Freedom Party (PdL), the Northern League (LN), or the Movement for Autonomy (MPA) in the next legislative election, unchanged since late February.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Most people in Italy continue to express support for the governing centre-right parties, according to a poll by Digis. 51.7 per cent of respondents would vote for the Italian People of Freedom Party (PdL), the Northern League (LN), or the Movement for Autonomy (MPA) in the next legislative election, unchanged since late February.
The centre-left alliance encompassing the Democratic Party (PD) and Italy of Values (Lista di Pietro) is second with 30 per cent—down three points since late last month. The Union of the Centre is third with 5.9 per cent, followed by the Communist Refoundation Party (PRC) and Italian Communists (CI) with 3.8 per cent, and The Right (La Destra) with 1.5 per cent.
Italian voters renewed the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate in April 2008. Final results gave Silvio Berlusconi’s right-wing coalition 344 seats in the lower house, and 174 seats in the upper house. The victory put an end to the government of the centre-left Union (Unione), headed by Romano Prodi.
Berlusconi was sworn in as the country’s new head of government in May 2008. He had previously served as prime minister from May 1994 to January 1995, and from June 2001 to May 2006.
On Feb. 21, the PD elected Dario Franceschini as its new leader.
On Mar. 16, Franceschini criticized the prime minister’s handling of a global financial meltdown and its consequences on the domestic economy, saying, "Berlusconi’s aim is to prevent the crisis being felt. In fact, to deny its existence."
Polling Data
If a new election to the Chamber of Deputies took place, which party would you vote for?
|
|
Mar. 14 |
Feb. 22 |
|
Italian People of Freedom Party (PdL) / |
51.7% |
51.6% |
|
Democratic Party (PD) / |
30.0% |
33.0% |
|
Union of the Centre |
6.0% |
6.5% |
|
Communist Refoundation Party (PRC) / Italian Communists (CI) |
3.8% |
3.2% |
|
The Right (La Destra) |
1.5% |
1.5% |
|
Other centre-left parties |
2.5% |
2.5% |
Source: Digis
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 Italian adults, conducted on Mar. 13 and Mar. 14, 2009. No margin of error was provided.
