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Italy votes in election seen as key for economic recovery Italy votes in election seen as key for economic recovery
(35 minutes later)
Voting has started on the second day of Italy's general election - seen as crucial for effort to tackle the country's economic problems, as well as for the eurozone.Voting has started on the second day of Italy's general election - seen as crucial for effort to tackle the country's economic problems, as well as for the eurozone.
Estimates published before a ban on polls two weeks ago gave a lead to Pier Luigi Bersani's centre-left alliance.Estimates published before a ban on polls two weeks ago gave a lead to Pier Luigi Bersani's centre-left alliance.
It was thought to be a few points ahead of the centre-right bloc led by ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.It was thought to be a few points ahead of the centre-right bloc led by ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
A centrist coalition led by outgoing PM Mario Monti is also competing.A centrist coalition led by outgoing PM Mario Monti is also competing.
The voters emerging from a polling station on a quiet street in Rome shared one thing in common - a sense that Italy is in deep trouble, and that this election matters.
There was much talk of the country needing something "better" from its politicians.
An actor called Mita said she wanted to see something "clean, clear, open and new" to emerge, a break with what she called the "old politics". And she thought the left of the spectrum might produce what she is after.
A young man named Alex was excited by the possibility of a breakthrough by the Five Star Movement - a citizens' protest group. "Something different's coming up!" he said. "We want to change everything."
In my wholly unscientific gathering of the views, it was hard to find anyone who spoke well of Silvio Berlusconi. But his promise to cut taxes and put money back in the pockets of ordinary Italians will appeal to significant numbers of voters.
Opinion polls suggested there would be a strong turnout for comedian Beppe Grillo's anti-establishment movement.Opinion polls suggested there would be a strong turnout for comedian Beppe Grillo's anti-establishment movement.
Investors and Europe's leaders will be watching anxiously as the first results in the Italian election come in. What they fear is a weak government, or a coalition that waters down economic reforms and budget cuts.
Italy is the third largest country in the eurozone and any instability could undermine confidence in the European economy.
The front-runner is the centre-left candidate Pier Luigi Bersani who will make growth rather than austerity his priority. Europe's leaders hope he can form a coalition with Mario Monti, the former unelected prime minister and the man credited with restoring some stability to Italy's government.
Silvio Berlusconi may not win but, if he does well in the Senate, may end up with influence.
Much attention will focus on Beppe Grillo; a comedian who is attracting a large protest vote - potentially making it very difficult to form a credible administration.
The election was called two months ahead of schedule, after Mr Berlusconi's party withdrew its support for Mr Monti's technocratic government.The election was called two months ahead of schedule, after Mr Berlusconi's party withdrew its support for Mr Monti's technocratic government.
'Getting favours''Getting favours'
Italians will vote until 15:00, with first results expected within hours.Italians will vote until 15:00, with first results expected within hours.
The elections are taking place amid a deep recession and austerity measures that have caused widespread public resentment.The elections are taking place amid a deep recession and austerity measures that have caused widespread public resentment.
They are also being closely watched in the eurozone, with the Italian government's future commitment to austerity measures particularly under scrutiny.They are also being closely watched in the eurozone, with the Italian government's future commitment to austerity measures particularly under scrutiny.
Emerging from one polling station in Milan, voter Attilio Bianchetti told Reuters: "I'm not confident that the government that emerges from the election will be able to solve any of our problems."Emerging from one polling station in Milan, voter Attilio Bianchetti told Reuters: "I'm not confident that the government that emerges from the election will be able to solve any of our problems."
Luciana Li Mandri, a civil servant in Palermo, shared his pessimism: "We're all about getting favours when we study, getting a protected job when we work. That's the way we are and we can only be represented by people like that as well."Luciana Li Mandri, a civil servant in Palermo, shared his pessimism: "We're all about getting favours when we study, getting a protected job when we work. That's the way we are and we can only be represented by people like that as well."
As Mr Berlusconi voted in Milan on Sunday, he was confronted by topless women with Basta Berlusconi (Enough Berlusconi) scrawled on them.As Mr Berlusconi voted in Milan on Sunday, he was confronted by topless women with Basta Berlusconi (Enough Berlusconi) scrawled on them.
The three-time PM is embroiled in two trials, accused of tax fraud and sex with an underage prostitute.The three-time PM is embroiled in two trials, accused of tax fraud and sex with an underage prostitute.
He has also been under fire for giving a TV interview on Saturday, which opponents said was a breach of the campaigning ban.He has also been under fire for giving a TV interview on Saturday, which opponents said was a breach of the campaigning ban.
Mr Berlusconi's office said the interview had been granted only with the explicit agreement that it would be broadcast after polls close on Monday.Mr Berlusconi's office said the interview had been granted only with the explicit agreement that it would be broadcast after polls close on Monday.
Voter Maria Teresa Gottardi told Agence France-Presse she was still voting for Mr Berlusconi: "I know he has his defects but he's the best."Voter Maria Teresa Gottardi told Agence France-Presse she was still voting for Mr Berlusconi: "I know he has his defects but he's the best."
The interior ministry put voting for the lower house in the first four hours of Sunday's voting at 14.9% of eligible voters, down from 16.5% at the same point in the 2008 election.The interior ministry put voting for the lower house in the first four hours of Sunday's voting at 14.9% of eligible voters, down from 16.5% at the same point in the 2008 election.
Some 47 million eligible voters are electing both chambers of parliament - the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.Some 47 million eligible voters are electing both chambers of parliament - the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
The electoral system is based on proportional representation and party lists, with a series of thresholds to encourage parties to form coalitions.The electoral system is based on proportional representation and party lists, with a series of thresholds to encourage parties to form coalitions.
Mr Bersani's centre-left Democratic Party (PD) has been a consistent frontrunner in the opinion polls at nearly 35%.Mr Bersani's centre-left Democratic Party (PD) has been a consistent frontrunner in the opinion polls at nearly 35%.
Mr Bersani, a former Communist, has pledged to continue with Mr Monti's reforms, but suggests current European policy needs to do more to promote growth and jobs.Mr Bersani, a former Communist, has pledged to continue with Mr Monti's reforms, but suggests current European policy needs to do more to promote growth and jobs.
However, recent weeks have seen a narrowing of his lead over Mr Berlusconi's People of Freedom (PdL) alliance, which is critical of austerity measures.However, recent weeks have seen a narrowing of his lead over Mr Berlusconi's People of Freedom (PdL) alliance, which is critical of austerity measures.
Mr Grillo's Five Star Movement (M5S) was running third in the polls.Mr Grillo's Five Star Movement (M5S) was running third in the polls.
The BBC's Alan Johnston, in Rome, says its activists have utter contempt for the political establishment and have been making a connection with many Italians who have lost faith in the traditional parties.The BBC's Alan Johnston, in Rome, says its activists have utter contempt for the political establishment and have been making a connection with many Italians who have lost faith in the traditional parties.
Are you in Italy? Will you be voting today? You can share your thoughts and experiences using the form below.Are you in Italy? Will you be voting today? You can share your thoughts and experiences using the form below.