Prodi's bloc eyes big wins in local polls

Prime Minister Romano Prodi's centre-left bloc, in its first test since narrowly winning a general election, looked set yesterday to sweep at least three major cities in mayoral races, according to projected results.

Mr Prodi's candidates had a clear advantage in Rome, Turin and Naples, according to projections and threatened to force an unexpected run-off in Milan, a centre-right stronghold and the home-turf of opposition leader Silvio Berlusconi, according to two pollsters. Milan, Italy's financial capital, has not had a centre-left mayor since 1993.

"The results seem good," Mr Prodi said, cautiously. "They tell me that in the Milan race, there is little difference between the candidates."

Voting ended at 3 p.m. (1300 GMT) and final results were not expected until early today.

The two-day vote across more than 1,260 cities and towns is seen as an early barometer of Mr Prodi's support since he snatched a knife-edge election victory last month, ousting Mr Berlusconi's centre-right after five years of economic stagnation.

If confirmed, the results could strengthen Mr Prodi's hand as he tackles deteriorating public accounts that may trigger a downgrade of Italy's debt by rating agencies unless he can push through overdue but unpopular reforms.

A good showing in the north would also boost Prodi's bid to bridge the north-south divide, which was highlighted by the April ballot, and undermine Mr Berlusconi's claim that the richer and more productive part of the country supports him. Mr Berlusconi had hoped the polls would dish up revenge after his narrow defeat.

But in Milan, his candidate, former Education Minister Letizia Moratti, was threatened with the prospect of a run-off, necessary when no one gets more than 50 per cent of the vote.

She had just 50.3 per cent in a Nexus poll, compared with 47.9 per cent for her centre-left rival. "If Berlusconi's idea was revenge, what he got was another taste of defeat," said Deputy Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema. Pollsters also showed the centre-left incumbent well ahead in Naples, where Mr Berlusconi had hoped to upset Mr Prodi, although a run-off might be needed.

"Naples was the one that Berlusconi had made some kind of investment in. Naples is going to be a shock for him if Rosa Russo Iervolino wins immediately," leading political commentator Sergio Romano told Reuters.

Analysts said lower voter turnout also penalised Mr Berlusconi, whose centre-right tends to have more trouble getting its supporters to polls. Only 71.2 per cent of voters cast ballots, compared with 80.6 per cent in the last mayoral election in 2001.