March 25, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - An upcoming legislative ballot in Italy could see the return to power of the centre-right, according to a poll by Demoskopea released by Sky TG24. 37.7 per cent of respondents would vote for the Italian People of Freedom Party (PdL) in next month’s election, while 31.3 per cent would back the centre-left Democratic Party (PD).

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - An upcoming legislative ballot in Italy could see the return to power of the centre-right, according to a poll by Demoskopea released by Sky TG24. 37.7 per cent of respondents would vote for the Italian People of Freedom Party (PdL) in next month’s election, while 31.3 per cent would back the centre-left Democratic Party (PD).

The Left Rainbow (SA) is third with 10.2 per cent, followed by the Union of the Centre with 6.8 per cent, and the Northern League (LN) and Movement for Autonomy (MPA) with 4.6 per cent. Support is lower for Italy of Values (Lista di Pietro) and The Right (La Destra).

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, an early legislative election was scheduled for Apr. 13 and Apr. 14.

In October 2007, Veltroni assembled the PD with several centre-left political organizations. In November, Berlusconi announced the creation of the PdL.

Earlier this month, Berlusconi nominated Giuseppe Ciarrapico—a regional newspaper publisher and self-proclaimed fascist and admirer of Benito Mussolini—as a Senate candidate for his party, drawing criticism even from within the PdL ranks. Berlusconi defended his decision, saying, "We are in this election campaign to win it. Mr. Ciarrapico owns some important titles and it would help us if they weren’t hostile to our cause."

Veltroni responded to the announcement, saying, "The aim is to win the elections come what may—so if you own lots of newspapers, then get on board. It doesn’t matter what your politics are—all you need is to be a media boss."

Polling Data

If the election were held today, which party would you vote for?

Italian People of Freedom Party (PdL)	37.7%
Democratic Party (PD)	31.3%
Left Rainbow (SA)	10.2%
Union of the Centre	6.8%
Northern League (LN) and Movement for Autonomy (MPA)	4.6%
Italy of Values (Lista di Pietro)	2.3%
The Right (La Destra)	0.6%
Other parties	6.5%

Source: Demoskopea / Sky TG24
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,004 Italian adults, conducted from Mar. 13 to Mar. 17, 2008. No margin of error was provided.