Salvini eyes return to power

ITALY’S fragile governing coalition is bracing for a key regional election this weekend which the far-right League hopes will trigger a political earthquake and return strongman Matteo Salvini to power.

The wealthy centrenorth region of Emilia Romagna was once the Italian left’s fiefdom, but while leftwing values still hold sway under the graceful porticoes of its cities, the right is making serious inroads in the villages and towns beyond.

The last polls published before the pre-election media blackout showed the anti-immigrant League neckand-neck with the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), which governs Italy in coalition with the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S).

International markets will be watching closely for potential seismic change in the eurozone’s third largest economy.

Sunday’s vote “is a big test for the beleaguered coalition” Berenberg economist Florian Hense told AFP.

“A PD defeat could possibly be the straw that breaks the camel’s back and spell the end of the coalition,” he said.