Italy faces stalemate after election shock
Beppe Grillo.
Italy faces political deadlock after a stunning election that saw the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement of comic Beppe Grillo become the strongest party in the country but left no group with a clear majority in parliament.
The centre-left coalition led by Pier Luigi Bersani won the lower house by around 125,000 votes and claimed the most seats in the Senate but was short of the majority in the upper house that it would need to govern.
Bersani claimed victory but said it was obvious that Italy was in "a very delicate situation". Party officials said the centre-left would try to form a government but it was unclear what its options would be.
Neither Grillo, a comedian-turned-politician who previously ruled out any alliance with another party, nor Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right bloc, which threatened to challenge the close tally, showed any immediate willingness to negotiate.
World financial markets reacted nervously to the prospect of a government stalemate in the euro zone's third-largest economy with memories still fresh of the financial crisis that took the 17-member currency bloc to the brink of collapse in 2011.
Italy's borrowing costs have come down in recent months, helped by the promise of European Central Bank support but the election result confirmed fears that it would not produce a government strong enough to implement effective reforms.
Grillo's surge in the final weeks of the campaign threw the race open, with hundreds of thousands turning up at his rallies to hear him lay into targets ranging from corrupt politicians and bankers to German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
In just three years, his 5-Star Movement, heavily backed by a frustrated generation of young Italians increasingly shut out from permanent full-time jobs, has grown from a marginal group to one of the most talked about political forces in Europe.
Its score of 25.5 percent in the lower house was just ahead of the 25.4 percent for Bersani's Democratic Party, which ran in a coalition with the leftist SEL party and it won almost 8.7 million votes overall, more than any other single party.
"The 5-Star Movement is the real winner of the election," said SEL leader Nichi Vendola, who said that his coalition would have to deal with Grillo, who mixes fierce attacks on corruption with policies ranging from clean energy to free Internet.
RECESSION
"It's a classic result. Typically Italian," said Roberta Federica, a 36-year-old office worker in Rome. "It means the country is not united. It is an expression of a country that does not work. I knew this would happen."
A long recession and growing disillusion with mainstream parties fed a bitter public mood that saw more than half of Italian voters back parties that rejected the austerity policies pursued by Prime Minister Mario Monti with the backing of Italy's European partners.
Berlusconi's campaign, mixing sweeping tax cut pledges with relentless attacks on Monti and Merkel, echoed many of the themes pushed by Grillo and underlined the increasingly angry mood of the Italian electorate.
Stefano Zamagni, an economic professor at Bologna University said the result showed that a significant share of Italians "are fed up with following the austerity line of Germany and its northern allies".
"These people voted to stick one up to Merkel and austerity," he said.
Election rules give the centre-left a solid majority in the lower house, despite its slim advantage in terms of votes, but without the Senate it will not be able to pass legislation.
Calculations by the Italian Centre for Electoral Studies, part of LUISS university in Rome, gave 121 seats to Bersani's coalition, 117 to Berlusconi, 54 for Grillo and 22 to the centrist coalition led by Monti.
That leaves no party or likely alliance with the 158 seats needed to form a Senate majority.
Even if the next government turns away from the tax hikes and spending cuts brought in by Monti, it will struggle to revive an economy which has scarcely grown in two decades.
Monti was widely credited with tightening Italy's public finances and restoring its international credibility after the scandal-plagued Berlusconi, whom he replaced as the 2011 financial crisis threatened to spin out of control.
But he struggled to pass the kind of structural reforms needed to improve competitiveness and lay the foundations for a return to economic growth and a weak centre-left government may not find it any easier.
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John Azzopoardi
Feb 27th, 11:31
No big deal. Italians are used to this type of politics. It is they who decided what they wanted and went for it. such is life.
Alfred Falzon
Feb 26th, 15:09
A coalition Centro Sinistra with Beppe Grillo's Cinque Stelle will help fill in d void of Italian politics & counter many of d ills that r bedevilling Italy.
Yes, d underdog & downtrodden stand 2 gain from it by curbing the politicians' craze for vain power that is NEVER in d interest of the people.
CLEAN politics, moral ethics & genuine leaders should b d cornerstone of a health society!
aaf
Bill Khan
Feb 26th, 13:22
For the vested interest it is conducive to keep Italy in disarray and disunited. Back in the eighties Aldo Moro wanted to have a coalition with the communists. Henry Kissinger waned him against it. But Moro wanted to go through with it. The result: Moro was Kidnapped and his body found in the boot of a car. Its a total pity what has gone on and still going on in Italy.
joseph saliba
Feb 26th, 09:54
This is no PC game. Sig. Grillo represents quite a chunk of Italian grey matter. Enough to reckon with? Joining Grillo to form a working majority might call off his bluff or proof him a great asset to our neighbours. Only time can tell.
George Mifsud
Feb 26th, 09:20
Tghid tal-Ajkla sejjer jaghmel bhal Beppe Grillo jitla minn zewg distretti
Vincent Mercieca
Feb 26th, 09:36
you never know.
we have to wait for the 10th March for the results.
He attracted thousands at his meetings.
jane deguara
Feb 26th, 10:22
if he does we will be another big joke
Grace Scicluna
Feb 26th, 19:41
MAYBE IS MORE HONEST [TAL AKLA] and less corrupt.
He is for the people
He is positive
He believes in miracles.
He is human and humane
Alan Vassallo
Feb 26th, 08:50
Now italy has become one big joke!
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 26th, 08:13
I just have one question; if Bersano allies with Grillo then will the north of Italy agree to be governed by the extreme left which might do mayhem of the economic power of this region!?
K.G. Vella
Feb 26th, 09:35
What has Berlusconi's right-centrist party actually brought to that region and to the whole of Italy and Europe if not huge economic problems?
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 26th, 09:39
@K.G. Vella
I do not know; but it seems that trusted him over and over again; so it means that the business goes well under a center right government!
Joe Scerri
Feb 26th, 08:10
Perhaps we will have the same with ta l-ajkla here.
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 26th, 08:04
If Bersani allies with Berlusconi then maybe Italy might have a stable government for a period of time (all thanks to Berlusconi). If Bersani allies with Grillo then Itally will have an EXTREME LEFT government; become very unstable and untrusted!!
Mrs c. Lazzari Portelli
Feb 25th, 23:01
@ Joseph borg I live in italy and know well what DEMOCRACY IS THANK YOU NO NEED FOR A DICTIONARY.
Yes one third of the italians can be crazy or have a short memory ..cause they forgot in what toruble Berlusconi put them a year ago saying that crisis does not exist ! So all europe is not democratic cause ALL ARE against him in europe!! Even those who have his kind of party in europe !!! e vai
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 26th, 08:01
I do not think you can call a country that had a record number of elections in these last 50 years "undemocratic" ... maybe too much democratic fits better the picture :)
However let us all (including you) remeber that the only "stable" period of Italy was under Berlusconi!! Longest serving PM!!
K.G. Vella
Feb 26th, 09:29
May I remind Mr. Aquilina of the damage done to the Italian and European economy by the governement of Silvio Berlusconi? Berlusconi in power would spell huge problems for Italy and Europe - Malta. Just imagine if he actually decided to return the taxes paid as he promised!
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 26th, 09:38
@K.G. Vella
I do not agree with you. Berlusconi could have done better; but with what he did he did much better then Prodi - who left Italy in pure misery!
Mark Mangion
Feb 25th, 22:32
I'll grande Berlusca as they call him. He started the campaign when everyone said he was good as dead and came out ahead, reason being he was the only politician to have something close to a programme. Only problem in Italy is the excessive no of parties which effectively prohibits any one party of putting forward any serious 5 year programme
Roderick Cachia
Feb 25th, 22:11
Fl-Italja 25% tal-poplu preferew "kummiedjant" mill-politici"tradizzjonali". Dan ghandu jiftah ghajnejn il-politici hawn Malta. Iridu politika ghan-nies bi proposti cari u mhux b'attakki personbali bla sens. In-nies qed xebaw mill-politika ta' tfiegh ta' tajn. In-nies trid il-politika taghha, dik li taf il-bzonnijiet taghha ta' kuljum. We just need a change.
K.G. Vella
Feb 26th, 09:30
Couldn't have put it better Mr.Cachia! Let's hope that our campaign becomes more positive and focussed on people's needs!
Vincent Mercieca
Feb 26th, 09:43
well said Mr Cachia
who knows if history will repeat itself here in Malta as many are fed up with the mud slinging politics.
we want to know what rests for us in the future and not what happened in the past.
if we look at the past we would not have joined the EU having Italy and Germany as members. Remember they bombed us in the past.
Let us all look on to a good future and forget the past.
Alfred Falzon
Feb 25th, 21:10
Beppe Grillo is not just an ordinary comedian, he is much more than that!
He is d conscience of d righteous Italians who have had enough of Berlusconi, Bersani, Monti etc, locked in a struggle for power at d expense of d underdog!
A hung Parliament for Italy is a thorny problem, so those who think they have a solution know which coalition could reap dividends for their down-trodden people!
aaf
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 25th, 20:58
I can't understand what is the fuss on who gets more seats in parliament or senate. As things are, none of the three cores can form a government without the support of at least one other core. Grillo can be the kingmaker, unless of course Bersani and Berlusconi do not form government just to change the electoral law and go vote again.
D. Muscat
Feb 25th, 20:29
Incredible comeback of Berlusconi in the Senate. So perhaps not everything is lost for Gonzipn
Mr Adrian Zahra
Feb 25th, 20:26
The ultimate proof that people have lost faith of a better and just future.
Charles Grima
Feb 25th, 20:24
Grillo ceased to be a comedian MAAANY years ago!
K.G. Vella
Feb 25th, 20:02
I have a feeling that most people are simply missing the point here. We Maltese, like the rest of Europe, need a stable governement in Italy that can bring economical stability to the whole Eurozone.
Mrs c. Lazzari Portelli
Feb 25th, 22:52
YOU ARE very right there...unstability here in Italy no doubts influences badly on all eurozone....I dont see anything bright ahead...wont be easy ..europe wanted a serious government in Italy and for sure no Berlusconi...but some people have a short memory and in the last months here with monti forgot all the trouble that Berlusconi had caused ..or maybe they wanted the IMU back :) how sad....
Allan Bonnici
Feb 25th, 20:00
Bersani qieghad jirbah bi ftit
George Cutajar
Feb 25th, 19:40
If the results of the Italian election are anything to go by we might well have Tal-Ajkla gaining a seat in Malta.
So much for polls and surveys!!!!
Bernard Pollacco
Feb 25th, 19:35
i'm lost, any help ??
gil falzon
Feb 25th, 19:05
Grilli 26%. Interesting!
Mary Camenzuli
Feb 25th, 18:33
Latest seat projection in the Senate:
Berlusconi-Right: 121 seats
Bersani-Left: 96 seats
Grillo-M5S: 65 seats
Centre-Monti: 19 seats.
The polls, even the exit polls, have been utterly wrong.
.
sammy cassar
Feb 25th, 19:23
hopefully the same happens in malta!
Mary Camenzuli
Feb 25th, 18:25
THE POLLS WERE COMPLETELY WRONG.
EVEN THE EXIT POLLS WERE WRONG - THESE ASK PEOPLE HOW THEY HAD JUST VOTED.
IN THE EXIT POLL, BERLUSCONI WAS 6 POINTS BEHING THE LEFT,
NOW HE'S 1 POINT AHEAD.
.
Dwardu ellul
Feb 25th, 18:25
http://elezioni.interno.it/senato/scrutini/20130224/S000000000.htm
Hemm tkunu tafu ezatt jidher li x-xellug ghadu min fuq pero xi Gvern bla sahha.
Mrs c. Lazzari Portelli
Feb 25th, 18:02
Calm down...its still exit polls results need more time ...PD will make it , even if Grillo as his movement agrees with NO ONE and it seems they got a huge %!
As to the senate hehe remember only the over 25years can vote there so things are different ..but the left parties will make it, even if it wont be easy to govern as M5S got a high percentage!God save us always better than Berlusca here!
Mark Mangion
Feb 25th, 22:39
U are completely wrong. PD have NO majority even with their pre election allies. Its a stalemate which might lead to immediate fresh elections or else one of the following
1 Berlusconi allies with Bersani
2 Bersani allies with Grillo
3 Berlusconi allies with Grillo.
None of the above seem workable. Period
Eve Axiaq
Feb 25th, 17:59
Berlusconi ma jmut qatt!
Kemm hamguh bil bunga bunga u skandli ohra. @PN ghalxejn titfghu t-tajn bil kaz ta drogi u l-iskandlu taz zejt iddawruh fuq il PL.
Mrs c. Lazzari Portelli
Feb 25th, 18:36
YOU JUST DONT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SAYINGGGGGGGG.... at least in what regards Berlusconi...huh hamguh????? OH MY MY ...incredible ...do you follow the news in this planet or maybe you're in marsssss
Joseph Borg
Feb 25th, 19:53
Mrs Portelli so Basically ur calling 1/3 of the Italian population crazy! that makes around 10mil+ people! The people are the ones who judge track records and decide whom to vote. An this will be everywhere in the planet in every democratic election!
Calling people insane because YOU do not agree with Berlusconi means you need to go back to your books & check d meaning of the word DEMOCRACY!
John Sultana
Feb 26th, 11:53
Actually Berlusconi was found guilty of tax evation so he is crook that steals from his own people, and I stop here since I do not want to judge him on his sex life since is none of my business
Stephen Grech
Feb 25th, 17:58
Berlusconi given another term: So comforting to know that at least one country is even more screwed up than we are!
Mrs c. Lazzari Portelli
Feb 25th, 18:24
NO no he wont be ruling this time for heavens sake !! In the senate he is ahead as the elderly and the extra rich voted him while the young ones cannot vote the senate as only the over 25 can vote. But alla camera he has no chance.even if it would be good to have the majority in the senate to be able to govern with stability of course ..some people seem to be insane and blind to vote such LIAR!
K.G. Vella
Feb 25th, 17:56
I don't know how the election in Malta and in Italy can be in any way related. I'm sure everyone knows that the situation is compltely different with coalitions being the norm. Ma! What hotheads we are!
Mr Michael Piccinino
Feb 25th, 17:56
Berlusconi wins both houses! Great come back for the centre Right, Can the same happen in Malta? :)
Mr Albert Dimech
Feb 25th, 17:45
Latest projection are now centre left in the lead with 34% vs 27% for centre right.
Mark Muscat
Feb 25th, 17:34
Pl supporters, don't count your chicken before they are hatched as PN is coming to get you :)
K.G. Vella
Feb 25th, 17:54
Ara x'ghandu x'jaqsam!
effie stafrace
Feb 25th, 18:06
and the maltese are going to move you aside."I'm sick of the scandals and the
stealing," said Paolo Gentile, a
49-year-old Rome lawyer.even the maltese have the same opinion
R. Balzan
Feb 25th, 18:35
@ Mark Muscat - ilhom gejjin din l-ahhar sena. pass il-quddiem u tlieta lura. Kif qatt il-PN jista' jasal biex jeghleb lill-PL meta ghandek team tant dghajjef b'Gonzi u Simon!
m. borg (slm)
Feb 25th, 17:23
Next 9th March it will be PL in Malta..................
Mary Camenzuli
Feb 25th, 18:26
It-tiġrija sal-barkun - just ask Bersani!
.
Catlyn Buttigieg
Feb 25th, 17:23
Sewwa jghidu it tigrija sal barkun.
Mario Bonnici
Feb 25th, 16:53
Dak li qed issemmi t-times huma l-exit polls li fl-Italja f'dawn l-ahhar 2 elezzjonijiet fallew. Il-veru rizultati bdew mill-4pm meta beda il-veru ghadd tal-voti. Mill-ghadd tal-voti jidher li x-Xellug ma rnexxielux igib maggoranza fis-Senat u ghalhekk ma jistax jiggverna. Fis-Senat l-aktar li gab voti hu Beppe Grillo segwiet minn Berlusconi. Bersani gie t-tielet.
Joseph Borg
Feb 25th, 16:48
You are behind. Things have changed and it seems italy is going to have a centre-right government.
Margaret Richards
Feb 25th, 16:45
People have lost their mind!!! Voting leftist liberalist junkies is a very dangerous trend!!!
S. Camilleri
Feb 25th, 16:42
May God have mercy on il Bel Paese and spare them another Berlusconi term!!
P. Ciantar
Feb 25th, 16:38
It seems that the real winner is Beppe Grillo Exit Polls were indicating 19 per cent actual are at 25 per cent- as Grillo said why do you wonder that a Buffon wins an election when we were governed by clowns for decades.
Omar Xuereb
Feb 25th, 16:29
Another Labour Win after France etc..... Who knows who's next!!!!!!!!
jm busuttil
Feb 25th, 16:48
Malta next ?
Well in France the Socialists have already failed big time and repenting the change.
Joseph Borg
Feb 25th, 16:50
Labour? X'Labour? Isn't it Joseph Muscat's Movement?
Michelle Attard
Feb 25th, 16:55
Omar, the labour wins are not doing much good are they......
Richard Caruana
Feb 25th, 17:43
Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
The situation is already changing towards the right!
And after the failure of the left in France no wonder... maybe Malta will wake up from its slumber as well just in time.
Stephen Grech
Feb 25th, 18:00
@Busutill..........Can you please list the areas where the French socialists failed ? How many French voters do you know who are now "repenting" ?
B Buttigieg
Feb 25th, 19:52
@joseph borg.....to be more accurate...."malta taghna lkoll"!!!!!!!
J Micallef
Feb 25th, 16:25
Thank goodness we do not live in Italy.
Just hope that they survive if the centre-left get to govern. They all know they have promises to keep, but Bersani will have hands tied due to Union pressures. And knowing how the Left see things, bitter taxes will probably follow, with poor economic growth risk. I hope I'm wrong as this will drag down other countries with it.
Maria Mangion
Feb 25th, 16:44
Please give us a break and just leave the people's will Prevail.
J Micallef
Feb 25th, 19:46
@ Maria Mangion
Monti riddled Italy with Taxes, 200,000 lost ther jobs in a year and worst of all 1 out of every 4 samll businesses closed shop. You can have your break, Ms. Mangion, but don't come begging when things get tough like Cyprus and Greece and Portugal and Spain...Jeeze, the list never stops!
Please choose the reason of your report below: