Roman voters unimpressed by political pledges

In San Lorenzo, a stronghold of the left tucked away behind Rome's ancient city walls, Simone Napoletano smokes a cigarette outside a cafe and considers whether it's worth voting in this weekend's election.

The unemployed father of two complains about rising food and energy prices, and accuses policymakers of making extravagant pledges they can never hope to fulfil.

"They are all the same in the end," the 31-year-old says from behind a large pair of dark glasses. "They never do anything. If you listen to the interviews from 20 years ago they are saying and promising exactly the same things.

"Only those who already have money and power get by these days."

The campaign has been characterised by the media as "scialba" or lacklustre.

Conversations with voters on the streets of Rome reveal a widespread disaffection with politics and politicians.

There is a general feeling that neither frontrunner Silvio Berlusconi, the conservative former prime minister, nor his centre-left rival Walter Veltroni will deliver on promises to improve the lives of ordinary people.

Despite the disillusionment, pollsters expect Italy's turnout to more or less match the level of around 84 percent at the last vote two years ago, which ushered in Italy's 61st government since World War II.