Pisapia exclusively campaigned on local issues

The Italian right of Silvio Berlusconi has failed in its attempt to remain in power in his stronghold of Milan and delight Naples to the left in the second round of the municipal, according to official results. At Milan, after the counting of ballots in polling stations 1.251 1,195, the candidate of the left Giuliano Pisapia was leading with 55,12 against 44,87 to the outgoing Mayor of Milan, Letizia Moratti, candidate of the people of freedom (PDL), the head of the Government party. Economic capital, Milan is the hometown and electoral stronghold of the right of Mr Berlusconi for 18 years and the headquarters of his Fininvest media empire. These last fifteen years, the left was never succeeded to the run-off, always losing in the first round.

Naples, the Gianni Lettieri contractor, but arrived in run-off elections to the outcome of the first round, has recognized its defeat to the Magistris ex-magistrat Luigi. After counting of the ballots in 886 polling stations, Mr. de Magistris 750 65.19 had won against 34.80 for his rival. "We have lost," soberly commented Carlo Giovanardi, Secretary of State for the family. The centre-right candidates were also beaten in Cagliari, Trieste, Novara, stronghold of the Northern League, crucial ally of Mr Berlusconi.

"We're going to a phase of political uncertainty (...)". "because the output of the parliamentary majority (three years ago, Editor's note) and sitting in the Parliament is different from the majority that emerges in the country after the municipal", responded Beppe Pisanu, former Minister of the Interior right and President of the antimafia Commission. "The run-off for the municipal indicates that the right has lost and we need to analyze it and try to give answers with the policy of our Government," said the Vice-President of the members of the PDL, Gaetano Quagliariello.

The result of the vote in Milan was seen as a test for Silvio Berlusconi, even if Mr. Pisapia exclusively campaigned on local issues. The experts noted also the discretion of the principal leaders of the national left as Pierluigi Bersani, head of the Democratic Party (PD), came only once the support. For his part, Mr Berlusconi, who had put all its weight in the balance in the first round, is looking for several days to put into perspective the scope of a double setback in Milan and Naples. "The result will not effect on the Government", he assured relatives, saying some of the support of the League.

"Silvio Berlusconi and the berlusconisme are on the path of decline", found its share Nicola Latorre, Senator and one of the principal leaders of the PD. To show that it is firmly the bar, the person summoned a Council of Ministers upon his return from a bilateral Summit in Bucharest Tuesday at 10: 00 pm GMT and a meeting of the Presidency of his party the PDL he wants to restart with General States, primary, and the choice of a new name, according to commentators. Mr Berlusconi hopes to quickly forget any setbacks in his fief and even if there should be early elections, he does not contemplated them before the spring of 2012, one year before the normal end of 2013.

Running between the two towers, Mr Berlusconi is was around to support its candidates, is taking voters "no brain" who vote left and saying with Mr. Pisapia, Milan would become an "Islamic City", "a Tziganopolis full of Roma camps.