Five Star emerges as biggest party in Italy

Italy’s upstart Five Star Movement last night looked to be the comfortable winner in the country’s general election, with exit polls suggesting it was 10 points ahead of its nearest rivals. It appeared to have won about 30 per cent of the vote, but was well short of the 40 per cent needed for an outright majority. Silvio Berlusconi was heading for a disappointing result.

Forza Italia

Led by Silvio Berlusconi, the centre-right party has forged an alliance with the Northern League and Brothers of Italy and is taking a hard line against immigration.

Northern League

Under Matteo Salvina, it once espoused secession for northern Italy but has given up its separatist ambitions. Staunchly against immigrants.

Brothers of Italy

Led by Giorgia Meloni, the smallest and most Right-wing party in the centre-right alliance.

Five Star Movement

Led by Luigi di Maio, who at 31 is by far the youngest party leader. The populist party has ruled out entering alliances with other parties, which could prevent it from entering government even if it takes a large share of the vote.

Left Democratic Party

Led by Matteo Renzi and currently governing Italy, the centre-left party is badly fractured and could be the big loser at the election.