Lower turnout in Italian regional elections

Polls have closed and counting has begun in Italy`s regional elections, and it’s predicted the recent climate of political bickering may have cost Silvio Berlusconi dear.

Two years into his third term, the Italian Prime Minister`s centre-right People of Freedom party looks to be heading for a poor result at the ballot box.

The centre-right is expected to keep control of two regions and the centre-left of at least five.

Six other regions, out of the 13 voting, are too close to call. This time around, turnout is down on what it was five years ago.

62 percent of those eligible to vote did so, compared to 69 percent in 2005.

Pollsters say as well as the recent bickering, voters are also unhappy with politicians failure to address their main concern during campaigning – the threat of job losses.

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