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| Italians voting to choose new PM | Italians voting to choose new PM |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Italians are voting in elections for a new parliament and prime minister. | Italians are voting in elections for a new parliament and prime minister. |
| The main contenders for the premiership are centre-right former PM Silvio Berlusconi and centre-left former mayor of Rome, Walter Veltroni. | The main contenders for the premiership are centre-right former PM Silvio Berlusconi and centre-left former mayor of Rome, Walter Veltroni. |
| With the economy a key election issue, both men have promised modest tax cuts and reductions in bureaucracy. | With the economy a key election issue, both men have promised modest tax cuts and reductions in bureaucracy. |
| Correspondents say the race for the leadership is likely to be close, and the winner may have to broker a deal with the smaller parties. | Correspondents say the race for the leadership is likely to be close, and the winner may have to broker a deal with the smaller parties. |
| After a day off from campaigning on Saturday, more than 40 million voters are expected to cast their ballots on Sunday and Monday, choosing from 158 different parties contesting regional and national elections. | After a day off from campaigning on Saturday, more than 40 million voters are expected to cast their ballots on Sunday and Monday, choosing from 158 different parties contesting regional and national elections. |
| Italy's 62nd election in 63 years comes three years early, after Romano Prodi stepped down as prime minister when his coalition government collapsed in January. | Italy's 62nd election in 63 years comes three years early, after Romano Prodi stepped down as prime minister when his coalition government collapsed in January. |
| Polls opened at 0800 (0600GMT) and are due to close at 2200 (2000GMT). | |
| Economy slipping | Economy slipping |
| 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. |
| Voters' views from PalermoIn pictures | Voters' views from PalermoIn pictures |
| He is also leading a new party into the polls - the conservative People of Freedom (PDL). | He is also leading a new party into the polls - the conservative People of Freedom (PDL). |
| Mr Veltroni is a former communist who served for seven years as mayor of Rome, before taking over the leadership of the coalition led by Romano Prodi, after his government collapsed in January. | Mr Veltroni is a former communist who served for seven years as mayor of Rome, before taking over the leadership of the coalition led by Romano Prodi, after his government collapsed in January. |
| He leads the recently formed grouping, the Democratic Party (PD). | He leads the recently formed grouping, the Democratic Party (PD). |
| Although Italy faces a massive public debt, both candidates have promised tax cuts and handouts to voters, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome. | Although Italy faces a massive public debt, both candidates have promised tax cuts and handouts to voters, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome. |
| Italy's economy has been slipping in the face of low productivity and a strong euro and analysts say young people, pensioners and low-income workers are feeling the pressure. | Italy's economy has been slipping in the face of low productivity and a strong euro and analysts say young people, pensioners and low-income workers are feeling the pressure. |
| Correspondents say that whichever candidate is declared the winner on Monday, both know that a period of painful political and economic reforms is essential and unavoidable. | Correspondents say that whichever candidate is declared the winner on Monday, both know that a period of painful political and economic reforms is essential and unavoidable. |
| Will you be voting in the Italian elections? Send us your comments on the election campaign by filling out the form below. | Will you be voting in the Italian elections? Send us your comments on the election campaign by filling out the form below. |