Italy 2013: The official thread

[Antonio the Sixth]

Tomorrow, already?

God, I really hope Renzi pulls an upset. After all that happened since 2008, we can't end up with Bersani.

[Keystone Phil]

Tomorrow, already?

God, I really hope Renzi pulls an upset. After all that happened since 2008, we can't end up with Bersani.

Yep, tomorrow is the first round. The inevitable runoff is next Sunday. I think Bersani has this. If I read correctly, he seems to be pulling away and Vendola voters should go his way in the runoff. A shame...

[Keystone Phil]

It never ends - Silvio says he's considering a 2013 run - http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-73437129/

Alfano says it makes no sense for him to run if Berlusconi returns. Then about a half hour ago, Alfano posted a video on his Facebook page featuring a montage of photos from his career and ending with an image that read "Io sto con Alfano - Primarie Popolo della Liberta."

That makes me believe there was some development between when Silvio made the statement and now, signaling that he's definitely not running. Alfano's über loyalty to Berlusconi would have prevented him from releasing such a message if he didn't know for sure that Silvio was passing on a run.

[RogueBeaver]

Not coming back. The Italian right needs to find a younger, talented, cleanish leader who can build a new party from scratch- with an interest in good policy, not just good entertainment. Unless/until the right credibly rebuilds the PD will dominate.

[Keystone Phil]

One of the candidates in the primary is Giorgia Meloni, the former Youth Minister under Berlusconi. She's 35 but I'm not sure she represents a "new" party given her Berlusconi connections.  Alfano is relatively young (42) but he has the same connections.

[Antonio the Sixth]

4 possible explanations:

1. He knows his career is over and wants to bring the party down with him.

2. He's trolling Italians.

3. Dementia.

4. A combination of the above 3.

[Keystone Phil]

I think he's trolling to take away attention from the center-left primary. Or at least that's what I hope...

Anyway, I totally forgot the youngest candidate in the running for the center-right leadership: Alessandro Cattaneo, the 33 year old Mayor of Pavia, Lombardy. So the PdL can't be called the party of just the old guys.

[Antonio the Sixth]

I think he's trolling to take away attention from the center-left primary. Or at least that's what I hope...

Well, that's would be a really dumb move. It's pretty clear the more attention the PdL gets, the lower it falls.

[Keystone Phil]

I think he's trolling to take away attention from the center-left primary. Or at least that's what I hope...

Well, that's would be a really dumb move. It's pretty clear the more attention the PdL gets, the lower it falls.

He might want to direct more attention towards Alfano leading up to this primary. Alfano continues to play loyal soldier and when Berlusconi finally gives a definite "no," he can turn to Alfano and give him the most watched blessing in Italian politics, killing off the slew of other center-right candidates.

[Andrea]

Tomorrow is the first round of the center-left primary.

Does anyone know the time the polls close (Italian time) and if we can expect real time coverage (network?) or will the full results be released at one by the party at a later time?

Voting is from 8:00 to 20:00

I hope the party won't release the results all at once but in a sort of live update online during the count.

I have decided to vote Puppato tomorrow

[Keystone Phil]

Grazie! 

[SPQR]

I think he's trolling to take away attention from the center-left primary. Or at least that's what I hope...

Anyway, I totally forgot the youngest candidate in the running for the center-right leadership: Alessandro Cattaneo, the 33 year old Mayor of Pavia, Lombardy. So the PdL can't be called the party of just the old guys.

No one ever said that.
PdL is full of youngsters who don't know jacksh*t about politics,economics or even life.


FWIW,just came back from voting.
I voted for Renzi,but I'll be quite fine with the result no matter who the final winner is.

[Keystone Phil]

It was just a response to Rogue's comment that they need new, young leadership. It was my way of saying there's reason to be hopeful since it isn't a party full of (literslly) old Silvio heads. The issue, though, is that some (or most?) of the youngsters have strong connections to Berlusconi.

[Keystone Phil]

Reuters is reporting that results are expected around midnight (Italian time) so I assume it's just going to be a publication of the final result.

[Andrea]

Reuters is reporting that results are expected around midnight (Italian time) so I assume it's just going to be a publication of the final result.

PD says we will get first 300 polling stations just after 9PM

[Keystone Phil]

Andrea, do you know if Sky or RAI will be covering the results live?

[Andrea]

Andrea, do you know if Sky or RAI will be covering the results live?

I just checked:  SKY, Rai 3 (they start at 21:30) and Rai News will have live shows tonight.

[Keystone Phil]

RAI International will have Milan-Juve (which I'd rather watch anyway!) so I'll have to find an Internet stream. Thanks!

[Andrea]

RAI International will have Milan-Juve (which I'd rather watch anyway!) so I'll have to find an Internet stream. Thanks!

I suppose main papers (Repubblica and Corriere) will cover it with live updates too

[Andrea]

Exit poll by Piepoli for Rai News
Bersani 44 Renzi 36 Vendola 16 Puppato 3 Tabacci 1%

[Keystone Phil]

Ugh. I was hoping Renzi would keep it closer. Let's hope for an exit poll error!

[Keystone Phil]

Quorum Exit Poll: Bersani - 44-48%  Renzi - 31-35%

[Antonio the Sixth]

Sh*t!

[Keystone Phil]

Hey, maybe the Vendola voters will let their reformer side show next weekend and flock to Renzi...

[Antonio the Sixth]

Hey, maybe the Vendola voters will let their reformer side show next weekend and flock to Renzi...

I honestly thought they would, but polls indicate otherwise.

As if Bersani was some leftist hero...