Centre left's lead over Berlusconi narrows, new poll shows
Bersani weakened by MPS scandal
01 February, 13:15
(ANSA) - Rome, February 1 - Italy's centre left headed by
Pier Luigi Bersani saw its lead narrow to just five points over
Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right coalition, which has gained in
popularity less than a month before elections, the latest SWG
poll said Friday.
The centre left had 32.8% of the projected vote after
losing 1.3% compared to last week's poll by the independent
group.
Bersani, who heads the Democratic Party (PD), saw support
for his coalition weaken after a derivatives scandal came to
light at the Monte dei Paschi di Siena bank, which has historic
ties to his party.
Ex-premier Berlusconi, who is seeking his fourth term in
office, saw support grow for the centre right by 1.2%, giving
his coalition a projected 27.8% of the vote.The centrist coalition headed by outgoing Premier Mario Monti was up 1.4% with 14.2% of projected votes. The anti-establishment Five Star Movement (MS5) of comic Beppe Grillo stood at 18%, up 0.8% on the week. Civil Revolution, a new party led by Palermo anti-Mafia magistrate Antonio Ingroia, was down slightly to 5%, still above the 4% threshold needed in order to qualify for seats.
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