Campaigning in Italy is in its final day ahead of this weekend's elections.
Campaigning in Italy is in its final day ahead of this weekend's elections.
The vote comes three years early, after Romano Prodi stepped down as prime minister when his coalition government collapsed in January.
The vote comes three years early, after Romano Prodi stepped down as prime minister when his coalition government collapsed in January.
Billionaire businessman and former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, 71, wants a third term as prime minister.
Billionaire businessman and former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, 71, wants a third term as prime minister.
His main rival is 52-year-old Walter Veltroni, the former mayor of Rome. Mr Berlusconi is ahead in opinion polls but 15% of voters are undecided.
His main rival is 52-year-old Walter Veltroni, the former mayor of Rome. Mr Berlusconi is ahead in opinion polls but 15% of voters are undecided.
'Little difference'
'Little difference'
At his final election rally in Rome on Thursday, Mr Berlusconi appealed to his supporters to bring in more voters.
At his final election rally in Rome on Thursday, Mr Berlusconi appealed to his supporters to bring in more voters.
"Get out there and do missionary work," he told a crowd of 3,000 supporters.
"Get out there and do missionary work," he told a crowd of 3,000 supporters.
Mr Berlusconi is the head of a business empire that spans media, advertising, insurance, food and construction and includes the successful football club AC Milan.
Mr Berlusconi is the head of a business empire that spans media, advertising, insurance, food and construction and includes the successful football club AC Milan.
He is heading a new party - the People of Freedom (PDL).
He is heading a new party - the People of Freedom (PDL).
Mr Veltroni is also leading a new party - the Democratic Party.
Mr Veltroni is also leading a new party - the Democratic Party.
He compares himself to US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and has promised to boost pay and pensions to stimulate the Italian economy.
He compares himself to US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and has promised to boost pay and pensions to stimulate the Italian economy.
In truth, there is little to choose between the policies of the two candidates, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome.
In truth, there is little to choose between the policies of the two candidates, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome.
Both are promising to lower taxes and to cut public spending, our correspondent says.
Both are promising to lower taxes and to cut public spending, our correspondent says.
The Italian debt is now 1,400bn euros (£1,100bn; $2,200bn) - more than the annual GDP.
The Italian debt is now 1,400bn euros (£1,100bn; $2,200bn) - more than the annual GDP.
The cost of paying the annual interest on that debt is around 1,200 euros per Italian - and all the signs point to the situation getting worse.
The cost of paying the annual interest on that debt is around 1,200 euros per Italian - and all the signs point to the situation getting worse.
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