Grief overshadows Italy elections

[Junkdrawer]

Italian voters mourning the death of Pope John Paul II may stay away from regional elections, politicians fear.

The polls are seen as an important test for Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his party, but they were receiving little attention on Sunday.

By noon (1000 GMT) turnout was 12.5%, down from 17.4% at the same time in the last poll.

...

Mr Berlusconi's centre-right ruling coalition controls eight of the 14 regional governments up for election.

Analysts said its performance at the local elections could indicate whether it can succeed at the next national elections.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4406655.stm

BTW: These elections were supposed to see if Berlusconi was going to pay a high price for sending Italian troops to Iraq. But now, who knows? :shrug:

[LSdemocrat]

1. That's pretty low turnout, probably should have postponed

[w4rma]

4. No. You can't change the date for an election. (nt)

[LSdemocrat]

5. Actually in many democratic countries election dates are fairly flexible

[Frederik]

2. I'm thinking

this may be good. That's probably his supporters or the status quo-suits-me-fine people who are staying home, while the folks who are pissed off at the war and the corruption are prolly going to show up... My two c of wishful thinking at least!

[Junkdrawer]

3. From your lips to God's ears...

:popcorn:

[all.of.me]

6. that's why i was thinking/hoping, too!

[daleo]

7. Pre-emptory excuse making by the media

Just in case Berlusconi gets hammered at the polls for his Iraq adventure in general, and as a response to the U.S. shooting of the Italian journalist specifically.