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Italy election: Early vote count points to impasse Italy election: Early vote count points to impasse
(35 minutes later)
Partial results from Italy's election suggest the houses of parliament may split between left and right, causing new anxiety in the eurozone.Partial results from Italy's election suggest the houses of parliament may split between left and right, causing new anxiety in the eurozone.
Projections suggest Pier Luigi Bersani's centre-left bloc has a narrow lead in the lower house while Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right is ahead in the powerful Senate.Projections suggest Pier Luigi Bersani's centre-left bloc has a narrow lead in the lower house while Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right is ahead in the powerful Senate.
A protest movement led by comedian Beppe Grillo surged into third place.A protest movement led by comedian Beppe Grillo surged into third place.
The election comes amid a deep recession and tough austerity measures.The election comes amid a deep recession and tough austerity measures.
It marks a return to full-blown democracy for Italians after the technocratic government of Mario Monti whose attempts to reduce spending caused widespread public resentment.It marks a return to full-blown democracy for Italians after the technocratic government of Mario Monti whose attempts to reduce spending caused widespread public resentment.
After early results in the Italian election, the country appears to be heading for political deadlock.After early results in the Italian election, the country appears to be heading for political deadlock.
Whilst the centre-left under Pier Luigi Bersani seems to be heading for victory in the lower house, Silvio Berlusconi and his allies are performing strongly in the Senate. It may give him influence but he will not be returning to power.Whilst the centre-left under Pier Luigi Bersani seems to be heading for victory in the lower house, Silvio Berlusconi and his allies are performing strongly in the Senate. It may give him influence but he will not be returning to power.
To complicate matters further, the protest movement led by the comedian Beppe Grillo is showing huge gains.To complicate matters further, the protest movement led by the comedian Beppe Grillo is showing huge gains.
Certainly Mr Bersani will try to form a government but the question is, whether such a coalition would command credibility. Already, politicians are talking of the need for a second election.Certainly Mr Bersani will try to form a government but the question is, whether such a coalition would command credibility. Already, politicians are talking of the need for a second election.
Milan's stock market soared nearly 4% when exit polls suggested a clear Bersani victory - but lost nearly all of its gains when projections began to show Mr Berlusconi winning a sizeable vote. Italy's 10-year borrowing cost fell but then rose again to close slightly higher at 4.49%.Milan's stock market soared nearly 4% when exit polls suggested a clear Bersani victory - but lost nearly all of its gains when projections began to show Mr Berlusconi winning a sizeable vote. Italy's 10-year borrowing cost fell but then rose again to close slightly higher at 4.49%.
It was market pressure, with a borrowing cost of well over 6%, that forced Mr Berlusconi to resign as prime minister in late 2011.It was market pressure, with a borrowing cost of well over 6%, that forced Mr Berlusconi to resign as prime minister in late 2011.
Correspondents say Italy's EU partners and the financial markets want to see a stable outcome to the election, with a commitment to reform and debt-reduction.Correspondents say Italy's EU partners and the financial markets want to see a stable outcome to the election, with a commitment to reform and debt-reduction.
The BBC's Europe editor, Gavin Hewitt, says Brussels and Berlin would like to see Mr Bersani form a governing coalition with Mr Monti.The BBC's Europe editor, Gavin Hewitt, says Brussels and Berlin would like to see Mr Bersani form a governing coalition with Mr Monti.
They fear that an uncertain outcome could lead to Greek-style paralysis in the eurozone's third largest economy, he says.They fear that an uncertain outcome could lead to Greek-style paralysis in the eurozone's third largest economy, he says.
A leading figure in Mr Bersani's party has said a new election may need to be called in order to form a stable government. The deputy head of Mr Bersani's Democratic Party sought to downplay speculation about a repeat election after comments from another party official.
Early voteEarly vote
With returns from 75% of districts processed, Mr Bersani's centre-left bloc had won 30.3% of the vote for the lower house (Chamber of Deputies) to 28.5% for Mr Berlusconi's bloc.With returns from 75% of districts processed, Mr Bersani's centre-left bloc had won 30.3% of the vote for the lower house (Chamber of Deputies) to 28.5% for Mr Berlusconi's bloc.
Mr Grillo's Five Star Movement had 25.5% and the centrist list led by Mario Monti 10.6%.Mr Grillo's Five Star Movement had 25.5% and the centrist list led by Mario Monti 10.6%.
Mr Bersani was also projected initially to win a majority in the Senate, where seats are decided region by region. However, later projections suggested Mr Berlusconi's bloc was ahead in the key swing regions.Mr Bersani was also projected initially to win a majority in the Senate, where seats are decided region by region. However, later projections suggested Mr Berlusconi's bloc was ahead in the key swing regions.
Control of both the lower and upper houses of parliament is needed in order to govern.Control of both the lower and upper houses of parliament is needed in order to govern.
Mr Bersani 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 has pledged to continue with Mr Monti's reforms but suggests current European policy needs to do more to promote growth and jobs.
The election was called two months ahead of schedule, after Mr Berlusconi's party withdrew its support for Mr Monti's government.The election was called two months ahead of schedule, after Mr Berlusconi's party withdrew its support for Mr Monti's government.
'Torn apart''Torn apart'
Speaking on Italian public TV, Mr Bersani's economics spokesman, Stefano Fassina, said: "The scenario from the projections we have seen so far suggests there will be no stable government and we would need to return to the polls." Enrico Letta, Mr Bersani's deputy, said the centre-left bloc should win the vote in the lower house and would have the responsibility for trying to form a new government.
"If there is one majority in the Chamber and another in the Senate, there is no government," he told reporters. Speaking after the party's economics spokesman, Stefano Fassina, publicly suggested a new election would have to be called in order to form a stable government, Mr Letta said: "Returning to the vote immediately does not seem today seem the best option to follow."
At the headquarters of Mr Bersani's Democratic Party in Rome, one of the candidates, Alessandra Moretti, told AFP news agency the results gave "the impression of a country torn apart". At party headquarters in Rome, one candidate, Alessandra Moretti, told AFP news agency the results gave "the impression of a country torn apart".
Accepting that Five Star had "succeeded where traditional politics has failed", she hinted at possible collaboration with Mr Grillo's party - "a relationship that could give us an agreement on concrete laws".Accepting that Five Star had "succeeded where traditional politics has failed", she hinted at possible collaboration with Mr Grillo's party - "a relationship that could give us an agreement on concrete laws".
At the headquarters of Mr Monti's campaign, the mood was sombre but one candidate, Mario Giro, suggested the former prime minister could yet play a central role. Mr Monti said in a message on Twitter he was "satisfied" with his bloc's showing. While the mood was sombre at campaign headquarters, one candidate, Mario Giro, suggested the former prime minister could yet play a central role.
"If the current results are confirmed, we'll have two big coalitions that will have to work together," he told AFP. "Monti would be a pivot between the two. He'll be central.""If the current results are confirmed, we'll have two big coalitions that will have to work together," he told AFP. "Monti would be a pivot between the two. He'll be central."
Meanwhile, Mr Grillo's camp played down the prospect of co-operation with Mr Berlusconi.Meanwhile, Mr Grillo's camp played down the prospect of co-operation with Mr Berlusconi.
"Dialogue with Berlusconi?" candidate Alessandro Di Battista told AP news agency at Five Star headquarters in Rome. "It is very difficult to imagine that Berlusconi would propose useful ideas.""Dialogue with Berlusconi?" candidate Alessandro Di Battista told AP news agency at Five Star headquarters in Rome. "It is very difficult to imagine that Berlusconi would propose useful ideas."
In Mr Grillo's home city, there was shock and delight among Five Star candidates, who celebrated the party's huge success at a bar, AFP reports.In Mr Grillo's home city, there was shock and delight among Five Star candidates, who celebrated the party's huge success at a bar, AFP reports.
"This is a moment when you feel a bit weird because we are ordinary citizens, we don't have political experience," Cristina De Pietro said. "We have a lot to learn.""This is a moment when you feel a bit weird because we are ordinary citizens, we don't have political experience," Cristina De Pietro said. "We have a lot to learn."
Are you in Italy? Did you vote? You can share your thoughts and experiences using the form below.Are you in Italy? Did you vote? You can share your thoughts and experiences using the form below.