Italian stability hangs in the balance

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.

The mutual sniping between Monti and Nichi Vendola, governor of the southern region of Puglia, has intensified during the final weeks of campaigning and both have declared their visions for Italy “incompatible”. Voting began yesterday and the ballot boxes will stay open until 2pm today.

Yet polls indicate the centre-left coalition, in which Vendola’s Left Ecology Freedom (SEL) is the main partner allied to the larger Democratic Party (PD), may have to join forces with Monti’s centrist group in order to rule.