(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Silvio Berlusconi’s coalition of right-wing parties continues to lead the left-leaning lot, according to a poll by Euromedia Research. 51.5 per cent of respondents would support the Italian People of Freedom Party (PdL), the Northern League (LN), or the Movement for Autonomy (MPA) in the next election to the Chamber of Deputies.

The left-leaning alliance encompassing the Democratic Party (PD) and Italy of Values (Lista di Pietro) is second with 33.4 per cent. Support is lower for the Left Rainbow (SA), the Union of the Centre, The Right (La Destra), and the Socialist Party (PS).

Italian voters renewed the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate in April. Final results gave 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.

On Aug. 21, Italian public administration minister Renato Brunetta assured that he will introduce reforms that will mark a new era in Italy’s public service. Brunetta declared: "We can no longer allow ourselves the luxury of a public administration that doesn’t work."

Brunetta defended his proposals, such as cutting sick-leave time and relaxing firing procedures, saying, "These reforms affect the most vulnerable sectors of society because the rich can afford private services, it’s the poor that need efficient state schools and hospitals. I have clearly caught the popular mood; 60 million Italians are behind me."

Polling Data

If the political election took place tomorrow, which party would you vote for?

Source: Euromedia Research
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 Italian adults, conducted from Jul. 25 to Jul. 31, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

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