The administrative elections in Italy, billed by Berlusconi as his coalition's chance to prove that the country really leans to the right has proved instead that Prodi's left coalition is the main political force of the country.
Prodi's Union (Unione) won Rome with Walter Veltroni as mayor against ex-Minister Gianni Alemanno with 61.4% of the vote to Veltroni and 37.1% to Alemanno. Torino was also won with 66.6% of the vote to Sergio Chiamparino and 29.5% to ex-minister Rocco Buttiglione.
Napoli, however, provided the biggest suprise as it was the city where Berlusconi focused most of his efforts. Berlusconi was part of the list of council members of the right-wing coalition for Napoli promising that he would personally resolve Napoli's problems. Nevertheless, the existing left coalition Mayor Rosa R. Iervolino won with 57% of the vote against 37.8% to Franco Malvano.
The House of Liberties (Casa delle Liberta) managed to keep Milano, with ex-minister Letizia Moratti taking 52% of the vote against 46.9% Bruno Ferrante. A result that see the strength of the right in Milano considerably diminished.
In Sicily the House of Liberties candidate Toto Cuffaro won the regional elections and will remain as President of the Region of Sicily. He gained 52.8% of the vote against 41.7% of Rita Boresllino. A result, which similarly to Milano, sees the right loose ground to the left although they retain power.
Other results of note are the towns of Arezzo and Grosetto passing to the left as well as the region of Reggio Calabria.
Berlusconi said: "I am sickened, I am the only one fighting" shifting the blame squarely on his allies shoulders.
Prodi has declared that he is "satisfied" with the vote while Veltroni added "The result should make us all reflect, in particular the losers, on the utility of very aggressive political campaigns".
