Prodi defeats Berlusconi defeats Truman

[Rach3]

As of the minute, Prodi has (prematurely?) declared victory for his Union coalition, by a provisional margin of 49.8% to 49.7% (BBC):

Italian National Election Remains Too Close to Call

...By 3 a.m. Tuesday there were still no clear results, though early voter surveys showed a victory for Mr. Prodi, 66, a former professor who had beaten Mr. Berlusconi 10 years ago in another race for prime minister.

Even though votes from Italians living abroad remained uncounted, and results showed Mr. Berlusconi ahead in the upper house of Parliament, Mr. Prodi appeared just before 3 a.m. to his supporters in central Rome to claim victory.

"We've won," he said. "Now we have to work to change Italy. We have to work for the unity of this country."

But Mr. Berlusconi's chief spokesman, Paolo Buonaiuti, said the celebration was premature. "The House of Liberty contests that the center-left has politically won the elections," he said in a statement, referring to Mr. Berlusconi's center-right coalition

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/11/w...&en=4017aec1c23a0552&ei=5094&partner=homepage

 

[Anttech]

Berlusconi has asked for a recount.. It was tight hope prodi wins, Berlusconi is a crook to say the least!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-2128733,00.html

 

[Just some guy]

Berlusconi's more bent than a U-bend. But Prodi's coalition consists of nine parties, and even if they manage to get a majority in the lower house it's going to be about 2 or 3 seats.

This isn't going to last. The Communists now have enough seats to being down the government if they pull out, and I don't see them sticking around for long.

 

[Anttech]

Well the Left did have a 500 odd page "aggrement" outlining what they want to achieve which all parties signed, so it seems to be a political coalition rather than what happened before. But you may be right...

 

[EL]

Congratulations Italy!
"Getting rid of" Berlusconi is very good news.
(Although there's now another problem of how to get rid of the communists...)

 

[Anttech]

They haven't got rid of him yet :) They are awaiting the "offical results"

I love politcal soap opra heh

 

[EL]

Yeah, heard Berlusconi also "offers" a coalision government...bad looser?

 

[Pengwuino]

Talk about your individual really vote being important...