Berlusconi seizes key areas left on Italian regional

In two important regions, Lazio, where Rome is located, and Piedmont, among the more industrialized, the battle was to the last ballot.

Lazio in a record abstention with a drop of nearly 12 points, according to Interior Minister, Roberto Maroni, due to the delisting of support for Berlusconi”s candidate, right-wing trade unionist Renata Polverini, who won the governorship anyway for a few points estimated.

“A sensational victory since Polverini left in difficult conditions,” said Berlusconi”s government spokesman, Paolo Bonaiuti.

Hundreds of supporters came to celebrate in the central town square next to the Roman candidate.

Billionaire Berlusconi also easily won two new regions: Calabria and Campania, the latter won left behind by the mismanagement scandals two years ago from garbage collection.

The center maintains its stronghold, Lombardy and Veneto, where the candidate swept the Northern League, Luca Zaia, Minister of Agriculture.

The left maintains seven regions, including two strongholds “red”: Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna and southern Apulia, which confirms the popularity of Nikki Vendola , the new face of Italian politics progresita.

Altogether right coalition of Berlusconi”s rule in six areas, while the center-left canned 7.

The left governed in 11 of the 13 regions at stake on a total of 20 which is split with the mainland.

The abstention rate (63.6%) in the elections was particularly high, since a third of the 41 million voters deserted the polls.

It was the lowest turnout in the last 15 years, said Interior Minister, Roberto Maroni, after the polls closed.

The real winner is the anti immigration Northern League, which claimed Piedmont after a long battle with Roberto Cota.

Until three months ago, Berlusconi, in power since 2008, it had left snatch five or seven regions thanks to its popularity, but had to reduce their aspirations after a series of corruption and sex scandals within his party militants and irregularities in the management of elections.

For many observers, the formation of Berlusconi, the Freedom Party (LDP) has lost consensus, which has favored the Northern League in Veneto raging wie1ath 8% of votes more about your partner.

If you exceed the LDP electoral “the League will support charging hard,” said Political scientist Marc Lazar.

“We will not deal with PDL, we are the winners and now we want federalism and reforms. He lost the left, was by land,” said Umberto Bossi.

The greater weight of the controversial training Bossi, known for his positions against immigration, changing the balance of the government coalition and could end up alienate the more moderate ally of Berlusconi, President le House of Deputies, Gianfranco Fini.

“For the government has been a mid term test and generally voters tend to punish the government, as in other countries. What a reward to Berlusconi time of crisis such as now is a success, “he told television the government spokesman, Paolo Bonaiuti.