Initial results of Italian local
elections held on Sunday show that the rightwing populist League
spearheaded a strong showing by the center-right alliance.
The anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S), which has
formed a government with the League at the national level but
ran alone in the local votes, had largely disappointing results.
The centre-left Democratic Party (PD), which fared badly in
the March general election, was set to lose control of some
important cities such as Catania but was on course to win in
Brescia and reach the run-offs in several big councils in
central Italy.
Turnout was low across the nation compared with previous
local elections but rising in Sicily.
Unofficial data show an advance of the League in the north,
where the party may take Treviso in the first round, and the
center-right.
In the two Rome municipalities turnout was only 27% and M5S,
the incumbent, may end up being left out of the second round of
voting.
The center-right is expected to win in the Sicilian city of
Catania.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
