Italians will be called to vote on Sunday the 4th March to choose representatives of the Parliament who will form a new government. It follows the early dissolution of parliament by President Mattarella last December. But who are the main actors on the scene and what do the polls say? We break it down for you.
What are the main parties and what do they promise?
There are three main parties that are likely to win the election. The right-wing coalition is formed by Forza Italia, North League and Fratelli d’Italia. The parties are respectively led by controversial entrepreneur Silvio Berlusconi, Giorgia Meloni e Europen Parliament member Matteo Salvini.
The right-wing coalition manifesto focuses on lowering taxes, increasing independence from Europe, enhancing family rights with the provision of family allowances, stricter checks on border security checks and immigration control.
The centre party is led by the Five Start Movement led MP Luigi Di Maio, vice-president of the Camera dei Deputati in the last legislature.
The long manifesto of the party proposes various reforms regarding the fight against poverty, reducing pensions for politicians and tackling corruption and mafia associations within the political system.
The third main party at this general election is the Democratic Party (DP), led by Matteo Renzi, former Prime Minister. The DP manifesto, in line with their previous legislature, suggests various reforms. Among the most relevant, to introduce a minimum living wage for everyone, a deeper collaboration with the European Union, the fight against tax evasion, a greater care to prevent pollution and more investments on the arts sector.
What do the polls say so far?
According to Italian law, no polls can officially be published 15 days before the day of the general election. This would be aimed at not influencing the “indecisi”, people who haven’t made up their mind yet, as the vote draws near.
Despite this, however, some publications and individuals have broken the silence, giving us a possible insight on how this voting will unfold.
According to Termometro Politico, Luigi Di Maio commented for online publication NextQuotidiano by saying that the Five Star Movement would be close to 40% chance of winning the election, while the North League would only attract 14% of the voters.
Bloomberg however forecasted that votes for the Five Star Movement will not go over 10%. Forming a majority government will be very difficult according to the American media company, and it is way more likely that the right-wing coalition will prevail in getting more votes.
Whichever party will win, they will have the delicate task of getting Italy out of a delicate financial and political situation. Two days away from the General Election, Italians get ready to vote.