Berlusconi is disappointed because of Italian elections

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is “surprised and sad” after his centre-right bloc lost Monday’s local elections.

According to Euronews, the most harmful was his side taking second place in his powerbase, the financial capital Milan: 48 percent for rival Giuliano Pisapia, with centre-right incumbent mayor Letizia Moratti trailing by more than six points. The run-off vote will be in two weeks.

“The second round could be a good thing for Milan,” said one Milanese. Another one said: “I can’t stand Moratti anymore, and let the Northern League drop the evil dwarf!”

Main Berlusconi ally the Northern League fared worse than expected on his own turf. The centre-left swept Turin and won a first-round victory in its stronghold Bologna, although Berlusconi’s PDL party led in Naples.

The four cities were the most important contests in the elections in 1,310 towns — like a referendum for Berlusconi, midway through his fourth prime ministerial term.

The results confirmed opinion polls showing Berlusconi’s popularity has been undermined by a sex scandal, corruption and tax fraud trials and a sputtering economy — leaving him “surprised and sad”.