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Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Berlusconi, Veltroni Divide Voters in Italy
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Italian voters are virtually split over who would make the best head of government, according to a poll by Demos-Eurisko published in La Repubblica. 44.3 per cent of respondents would prefer former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, while 43.2 per cent would choose former Rome mayor Walter Veltroni.
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 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, 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 Feb. 25, Veltroni said he would reduce the number of lower house seats from 630 to 470, and the number of upper house seats from 315 to 100 if he forms the next government. The PD leader said he wants the Chamber of Deputies to handle national legislation and the Senate to be in charge of regional issues, adding, "Our idea is that of a faster country, free from vetoes and other constraints."
Polling Data
Who would you prefer as prime minister?
|
Silvio Berlusconi |
44.3% |
|
Walter Veltroni |
43.2% |
|
Undecided |
12.5% |
Source: Demos-Eurisko / La Repubblica
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,510 Italian adults, conducted from Feb. 18 to Feb. 20, 2008. No margin of error was provided.