Italian politicians today elected centre-left leaders for both chambers of Parliament, paving the way for difficult talks to form a new government to get started.

Italy’s newly elected Parliament was heading toward political gridlock as it meets for the first time after inconclusive elections gave no party a clear victory.

The political situation in Italy is similar to the 1920s. There’s even a Mussolini-like character ready to break through, writes Tim Parks

The incredible rise of Beppe Grillo’s Five-Star Movement in Italy has left the markets in turmoil.

A centre-left group of parties appears to have the best chance at forming a coalition government in Italy after an inconclusive national election, but the challenge is steep and comes amid public anger over austerity measures.

Italy has emerged from elections with no clear winner, driving markets around the world markedly lower as investors worried that one of Europe’s biggest economies would be unable to stay the course on austerity measures.

Italy faced political paralysis today as near-complete election results showed no clear winner and raised the possibility of a hung parliament.

Italy's crucial elections appear to be heading toward deadlock, according to initial results.

Exit polls show Pier Luigi Bersani’s centre-left coalition leading in an Italian election that is testing the country’s resolve to maintain painful economic reforms.

Italians are voting for a second day in a national election which will determine if they are prepared to stay the course of painful economic reform or send a message of discontinuity to the political class that led the country to the brink of disaster by rallying around a protest party.

Italy’s chance of stable government after elections this weekend may rely on forcing two awkward partners into coalition: former European Commissioner Mario Monti and an openly gay leftist he has vowed not to work with.

Italy is going to the polls today and tomorrow for a watershed parliamentary election that could shape the future of one of Europe’s biggest economies.

Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi praised Benito Mussolini for “having done good” despite the Fascist dictator’s anti-Jewish laws, immediately sparking expressions of outrage as Europe yesterday held Holocaust remembrances.

Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has dropped former allies accused of corruption and mafia association as election candidates, in a bid to shed the image of scandal that has dogged sections of his centre-right party.

Centre-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani is favourite among Italians to lead the next government, with outgoing technocrat prime minister Mario Monti second most popular and Silvio Berlusconi coming a close third, a poll showed yesterday

Former premier Silvio Berlusconi sharply criticised the decision by Mario Monti to run in Italy’s general elections and vowed to launch a parliamentary inquiry into the 2011 fall of his government and appointment of Monti as Italy’s premier.

Italian premier Mario Monti announced he is heading a new campaign coalition made of up centrists, business leaders and pro-Vatican forces who back his “ethical” vision of politics, aiming for a second mandate in office if his fledging reform movement wins in parliamentary elections.

Prime Minister Mario Monti has handed in his resignation to Italy’s president, bringing to a close his 13-month technical government and preparing the country for national elections.

Mario Monti, the Italian prime minister announced on Saturday that he would resign once the 2013 budget is approved, potentially bringing forward an election and fuelling speculation that he might run.

Prime minister Mario Monti has told Italy’s president he is resigning because he can no longer govern after Silvio Berlusconi’s party withdrew crucial support.

Silvio Berlusconi’s People of Freedom party withdrew its support for Italy’s technocrat prime minister Mario Monti, setting up a conflict that could force an early election.

The possible return of Silvio Berlusconi to the political stage spooked rival politicians and investors, but it would be foolish to write the wily fox off yet, says Barry Moody

ITALIAN Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, facing record bond yields and calls for his resignation, said Italy is “up to the task” of tackling the debt crisis as its economic fundamentals are solid.

Italy’s borrowing rates hit a new euro-era high today as a global market sell-off reignited fears that the debt crisis will engulf the eurozone’s third-largest economy.

AT least 90 people were injured when violent protests erupted in Rome after Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi won back-to-back confidence votes in parliament, narrowly surviving one of his toughest political challenges.

A huge crowd gathered in Rome tonight to rally against the Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi as confidence votes on the conservative government looms in Parliament.

BRUISED but not broken, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi appears to be milking his recovery from an assault by a protester this week to try to divide opponents by striking an unusually conciliatory tone.

ITALIAN prime minister Silvio Berlusconi pledged to work with “more force and more determination” after leaving hospital yesterday, four days after an attack which left him with a broken nose and teeth.