Berlusconi makes a comeback as Italy votes Sunday

ROME. — Italy’s rival political parties wrapped up a bitter campaign yesterday ahead of an election on Sunday in which former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi could once again play a leading role.

The anti- establishment Five Star Movement, the anti- immigration League party and the ruling centre-left Democratic Party are holding their final rallies before a day of silence on Saturday.

The campaign has been dominated by concerns about immigration and the far- right is expected to make major gains, while the populist rhetoric of the Five Star Movement is also likely to score well.

But the final polls in the election indicate that Berlusconi’s four-party rightwing alliance will win the most votes after his promises to expel 600,000 “irregular” migrants and slash taxes.

A three-time prime minister of Italy whose career has been shadowed by sex scandals and court cases, the 81-year- old Berlusconi cannot himself hold elected office because of a fraud conviction.

But on Thursday he unveiled European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, a close ally since the tycoon first entered politics in the early 1990s, as his choice for prime minister if he wins.

“I thank Berlusconi for his gesture of respect in my regard. I have indicated to him this evening my readiness to serve Italy,” Tajani tweeted. — AFP