on between the parties but you don't think that the members of fours or at earlier including silvio berlusconi have to rethink their strategy as regards their pro european union stance given italy's reject. well it is absolutely true those who womb the italian elections do they want to rediscuss the our european policies and european and italian position visit the euro this is absolutely true goes a war not people for the norden me if i start that being even a book a team for italy it getting out from you are sol i don't think it will happen neither. nor militant league will be proposing in case all their ruling a county like italy to get out a problem europe is all but nevertheless argue like force. probably. take note and to understand it is kind of bureaucratic euro dictating routes now listen to the people and so on and so forth we need their european rebelution we need to share and and we negotiate even some basic bit of the us of european union to do this kind of political response and it you know the british electorate thought of that and then rejected that idea as ever even being attai

is this the end of silvio berlusconi? absolutely not.ave the original campaign in lombardi and in lazio. it is important, the forza italia results in this region. it is important to understand what has happened tomorrow. at the moment, nobody is able to organise and to create a government. if you have your coalition partners on the same or greater share of your block vote, then your party, there will be a power struggle surely. mateas salvini surely wants to be in a position of being in charge. pay attention. jawing his campaign, he made it clear he didn't and doesn't wa nt made it clear he didn't and doesn't want to go out to europe and, about this argument, we have the same line. we need to have ten clear points in the programme. this is the rule. he seems to have softened his line on europe a little. in the past he said the euro was a crime against humanity. no, no. i know very well the value. if you check the last declaration of mateas salvini —— mateas salvini, you know he will wa nt mateas salvini, you know he will want to stay in

vote in an election whose outcome is anything but certain polls show a surge in support for silvio berlusconi center right broke as well as the anti-establishment five star movement migration to be commie are among the key campaign issues. i'm welcome to the program at long last the wait for a new german government is over and that's because the social democrats have voted yes to joining a coalition yet again with chancellor angela merkel's conservatives the vote is a huge relief for makyo who will soon be sworn in for a fourth term as chancellor but for the center left social democrats getting to this point has brought talking tunnel divisions that may prove difficult to heal. a nightmare for s.p.d. party leaders didn't come to pass as the results were announced there was no applause and no cheering instead a reserved reaction from a cautious party leader who fought very hard for this yes is a seldom a cop's apartheid sixty's and his social democratic party did not take this decision lightly in the past few weeks they discussed the results of the coalition agreement openly and transparently

front line of the country's immigration debate it's an issue that could tip the election toward silvio berlusconi's center right coalition. m fogel welcome to the program donald trump proposed to tariffs on u.s. steel and alan many a man imports sent shock waves through financial markets budget indexes in europe asia and the us all fell today as on this ward of a looming trade war yesterday president trump announced a twenty five percent levy on steel products and ten percent on our many close u.s. allies including canada brazil and japan have threatened counter measures of european commission the president for younger set the e.u. will not sit idly by. cancian jobs in europe will be lost due to the american measures and you cannot simply look on without doing anything we need to take measures from alice signed we will impose tariffs on holly davidson's on golden whiskey and on levi's blue jeans of jeans st louis reese blue jeans does this is all highly regrettable we never set out to stop trade was the vision of hundreds cleats you feel for where is all this going let's get more from having our ge

deny it's a lose parliamentary election the center right alliance led by former prime minister silvio berlusconi has a slight edge over the anti-establishment fine style movement but it's not enough seats for a majority in parliament the final results are expected late monday morning and. a sigh of relief as germany and months of political deadlock the country's social democrats vote to join a governing coalition with chancellor merkel conservatives it paves the way for a new government and a fourth term in office but on the metro will find out what it means for germany plus. they've rolled out the red carpet for the film industry is biggest night of the stars descend on hollywood for the academy awards to preview the films and actors hoping for glory this evening. i'm edith to money thank you for joining us vote counting is under way in italy as parliamentary election after a tie tres initial exit polls suggest the rightwing alliance led by silvio berlusconi will be the largest bloc in parliament however it's falling short of the absolute majority needed to form a government the anti-establishm

dominates the vote and could pave the way for the stunning comeback of former prime minister silvio berlusconi. also coming up a deadly pause in fighting goes into effect for a fourth day in syria's eastern ghouta an act isn't agonizing wait for those trapped there to see if aid can finally get through. and blizzards and frigid temperatures paralyze travel which across europe the storm dubbed the beast from the east keeps up its icy wrath. i'm sumi so misconduct good to have you with us today is the final day of campaigning before italy goes to the polls in sunday's general election and the result is anything but a foregone conclusion the election pits a right wing coalition led by the former prime minister silvio silvio berlusconi yes he is back against a center left alliance led by another former prime minister matteo renzi the other main player is the anti-establishment five star movement as our correspondent max hoffman reports from palermo migration has been the biggest issue driving voters. i think father and knows this neighborhood like no one else. has taken me to the markets and insti

the last opinion polls published two weeks ago did put silvio berlusconi's foot's italia party together with its coalition partners ten percent or so ahead of the largest single party which was the five star movement so that that coalition of mr berlusconi was around thirty seven percent but if that translates to the same percentage in parliament behind us that won't be enough to have a majority government and those polls were suggesting that there would be a hung parliament then who would they turn to well people are starting already to talk about people breaking promises and doing deals for example there is the possibility that silvio berlusconi's coalition could start talking to the center left democratic party who've lost a lot of support during the campaign led by the former prime minister matteo renzi . that's not to be ruled out but the five star party just a few days ago was saying that they're on polling was suggesting they'll do better than the opinion polls had suggested that they were going to. achieve a great breakthrough but most political analysts skeptical of them sticki

the front lines of the country's migration debate an issue that could tip the election toward silvio berlusconi's right wing a coalition. also coming up the storm dubbed the beast from the east keeps up its icy rock blizzards and frigid temperatures paralyzed roads across europe and britain the army's even been mustered to sort out the travel chaos. time sumi so much going to thank you for joining us so we started out with us some breaking news authorities in virginia faso say an armed attack is underway in at least two locations in the capital while the duke what does this say they heard machine gun fire immediately before a blast at the army headquarters in the west of the city now fixed smoke could be seen coming from the site meanwhile the french embassy said it was under attack there are reports of five armed men heading towards the building in a truck and there's no word yet on any casualties. let's bring in chris she joins us from lagos in nigeria and is tracking the latest for us hi adrian bring us up to date on what's been happening well the situation is still unfolding as you said we ju

to see if la lega edges ahead of silvio berlusconi forza italia's. comi from the forza italia party about the exit poll results. iam waiting i am waiting for the final result. it is the intention of the voting but i waiting for the final result. iam happy but i waiting for the final result. i am happy because now my party is in first position because it is not at the same level. looking at their forza italia figures, the same as your coalition partners to the far—right. is this the end of silver berlusconi in forza italia? absolutely not. we will shake in the end but the result is good for us and we also have the regional campaign in lombardy and lazio. it is important to understand what happens tomorrow because at the moment nobody is able to organise and create a government. very optimistic about silver berlusconi and forza italia's results. five star movement is an antique establishment falls. what do you think this government is going to look like? how much of a pata will five star movement play, they are at 35% within. will five star movement pl

they have split with silvio berlusconi.r movement and the populist right... we will see if it happens in italy like it happened in greece. there's been a huge shift, what happened to the mainstream centre centre—right parties? happened to the mainstream centre centre-right parties? they still got one fifth of the italian votes. way below the 40% that berlusconi got in 2014. renzi was wounded when he lost the constitutional referendum in 2016. the public opinion turned against him. italians wanted a change. even berlusconi for the first time lost the leadership of the centre—right, it fell to sell karim cheurfi, the... italy doesn't have a majority and we will see if the five star movement can muster a majority in the house and the senate. it won't be easy and it won't be pretty. does there have to bea won't be pretty. does there have to be a majority or can a minority coalition government? a minority coalition government? a minority coalition could govern if the other parties are at least going to abstain on crucial bills —

so it is a rear “— silvio berlusconi party. so it is a rear —— readjusts the far—right.h some the region receiving 50% of the vote. luigi di receiving 5096 of the vote. luigi di maio's party, the five star movement. isn't this a game changer if they decide they could form a coalition? —— is this. if they decide they could form a coalition? -- is this. well, this is what they have to be able to convince the other parties that they are serious they say they want to enter in the conversation. now they use the word conversation and dialogue on issues. but in fact they are still in the process of learning how to enter the kind of coalition strategy and language. but since they are learning very quickly because they have shown to be great campaigners. they had a fantastic electoral campaign so perhaps, we hope so, because we do not have any hopes at this point to have a stable majority, that they can learn how to make a coalition. first of all, they have to enter in a kind of dialogue with the other forces because they have to elect very soon the speaker of the lower house and

the former prime minister silvio berlusconi has re—emerged as a political force, even silvio berlusconigh he cannot stand and become prime minister as yet because of a fraud charge. he is frame much seen as a power. this is matteo renzi casting his vote today. it is expected there could again be a coalition. let's get the very latest on the background to this whole election. italians are electing members of both houses of parliament. 630 in the lower house of deputies and 315 in the upper house, the senate but at this time the system has been tweaked so that seeds of first past the post, the candidate with most votes in the district wins. the other ones are chosen by proportional representation, based on the share of the vote nationally. this election sees some new faces and not so new battling it out for supremacy. the keeper is likely to be silvio berlusconi. yes, here's back. —— a key player. if fraud conviction bars him from holding office at least until next year. he is teamed up with two parties on the ha rd is teamed up with two parties on the hard right, including la lega. the f

there's the centre—right forza italia, headed by a familiar face — former prime minister silvio berlusconir movement, started by comedian bepe grillo in 2009 and now one of europe's biggest populist movements. finally the ruling democratic party led by former prime minister matteo renzi. well let's cross live to rome. my colleague karin giannone is there for us. good morning to you, karen. good morning, samantha. italy has been in the grip of final —— severe winter weather for the final days of this election campaign. there has been a lot of noise from the extremes of politics and as you mentioned there, re—entering the political stage and reinventing himself as an elder statesman is a very familiar figure of 81—year—old silvio berlusconi, but he is barred from actually holding office so he is maintaining the campaign from the sidelines, if you like, but very much centre stage as well. he can't actually be prime minister because of a tax fraud conviction in 2013. let's discuss this more, with me is the chair of constitutional law at a university here in rome. 0n the issue of silvio berlusc

the political bloc with the best chance is this group led by the it's homely view silvio berlusconi the eighty one year old appears to hold a magnetic attraction for his far right allies who campaigned entirely around identity politics blaming the european union for what they see as an invasion of black people and muslims over the mediterranean. for if they gain power they claim they would deport four hundred thousand people to libya hardly a ringing endorsement of the european union's supposed liberals or. that anyone who arrives here illegally must be sent back if we keep welcoming them and look after them the state will collapse it doesn't work economically or socially. but if the polls are accurate the far right might not get enough votes for a stable government many italians are revolted at the idea of berlusconi choosing the next prime minister so what then. it's hardly unusual for italian politicians to promise one thing and then change their minds and even though silvio berlusconi insists his right wing coalition is the only one many suspected in the events of political stacey's

italy prepares to go to the polls on sunday with the familiar face of silvio berlusconi back on the election trail. severe weather continues to bring chaos to large parts of europe. at least 59 people have died in sub—zero temperatures. hello and welcome. uk prime minister theresa may has outlined her vision of britain's future relationship with the european union. she reiterated that the uk would not be part of the eu's single market or customs union. mrs may said both sides would have to accept ‘hard facts‘ and that no one would get everything they wanted. the prime minister also warned that the uk would have to pay money into some eu agencies to maintain access to them. what a challenge. to set up britain's future relationship with the eu amid the political divisions at home and profound scepticism abroad. acknowledging possible downsides to brexit for the first time, she said britain had to face up time, she said britain had to face up to hard facts. in certain ways oui’ access up to hard facts. in certain ways our access to up to hard facts. in certain ways oui’ access to each up to har

though barred from government, silvio berlusconi is hoping to play kingmaker in the center-right coalitionx hoffman has been to sicily where berlusconi's message is leading the debate. reporter: he knows this neighborhood like no one else. he has taken me to the market, an institution in old town palermo. img to get a feel for what matters to people in this election. -- i am trying to get a feel for what matters to people in this election. immigration seems to be top of the list. >> the tone of the current campaign is very harsh. i am afraid of the topic of migration is being exploited from the left and from the right. these people don't understand the value of migrants and migration can bring to a country. reporter: sicily has always been an island between two continents. many africans that make it to europe spend a lot of time here. some learn italian in charity-sponsored classes like this one next to the market, hoping to be granted asylum. others move on. there are approximately 500,000 undocumented migrants in italy. one man italians are very familiar with this calling the situation a

eighty one year old former italian prime minister silvio berlusconi will be the man to decide the country's parliamentary elections. and europe is struggling to cope as more snow and freezing temperatures battered the continent. hello started to turn surprisingly warm once again in shanghai i mean the forecast even in the rain on saturday is twenty two degrees now the average for march is about fourteen so we're well above that warm to the south as well as thirty nine. hong kong is about where it should be increasing humidity that will produce clouds and eventually rain dotted around mostly in central china but some further south you'll notice but it's not a dry pictures just the boards is quite surprising i think that we are disturbing the air a little bit now in the far northwest of indian certainly in pakistan that cloud brought some decent rain to northern pakistan some to the finals of india rather more to afghanistan and the pole snow a tight rain not a tight and that's just drifting sideways into western nepal come sunday leaving pakistan afghanistan in the sunshine a few showers are

and euro skeptic they're vying to be the biggest player in the center right coalition led by silvio berlusconi for selvi the results prove that italians are fed up of the status quo and one of the clearest outcomes after five years in power the center left democratic party have taken a peak hit and then there's this mild the peter pan of italian politics silvio berlusconi couldn't stand as a candidate because of a tax fraud conviction but he's hoping his force a tally of party and their allies on the far right can get first pick at trying to form a ruling coalition if they selection has proved anything it's that many italians wanted a clean break from the traditional ruling parties but what kind of government emerges is hard to say that could take many days if not weeks that involve al-jazeera wrote . a germany finally has a government after months of political uncertainty chancellor angela merkel will secure a fourth term in office after clinching a coalition deal with the social democrats the espy's membership approving that deal by a two thirds majority on sunday it was clinched more than f

to see if la lega edges ahead of silvio berlusconi forza italia's. earlier i spoke to lara comi from the forza italia party about the exit poll results. iam waiting i am waiting for the final result. it is the intention of the voting but i waiting for the final result. iam happy but i waiting for the final result. i am happy because now my party is in first position because it is not at the same level. looking at their forza italia figures, the same as your coalition partners to the far—right. is this the end of silver berlusconi in forza italia? absolutely not. we will shake in the

polsono is swinging as suggests silvio berlusconi center-right bloc will win the most seats in the italian election. the five-star movement is seen performing better than expected, pushing the centerleft into third place. no group is seen winning an overall majority with a country facing a hung parliament. asresa may has ruled out sporting after brexit, saying it would lock britain into roles that have not been set by the u.k. passporting allows financial

at the age of eighty one silvio berlusconi is back his plastic skin and rictus grin all over this election despite his criminal record he still has his own political party and media empire there is every chance he could get to choose the next prime minister it's like he never went away. thoughts as we are united force pushing back against all the bad things the left wing has done to our country we're going back into power because the left has put three million people into poverty and three million unemployed. the third party in this potential coalition is called brothers of italy one of several groups with fascist roots that have a chance of seats in parliament even given italy's history it appears immigration has made the electorate ready to consider what the european union dreads the most the far right in government. was we are committed to stopping migration flows and paying more attention to a tally and families other governments already do this the italian state won't spend more on asylum seekers than italian pension is. if you ask the far right how they would actually deport nearly h

on between the parties but you don't think that the members of fours are eternally including silvio berlusconi have to rethink their strategy as regards their pro european union stance given italy's reject of it. well it is absolutely true those who would on the elections do they want to rediscuss d. it our european policies and european and italian position visit the euro this is absolutely true goes awol not people for the norden the five stars that being even a book eighteen for italy is getting out from you are sol i don't think it will happen neither. nor militant league will be proposing in case all their ruling a county like italy to get out to a problem eurozone will but nevertheless party like force. probably ask you to take note and to understand it is kind of bureaucratic europe dictating routes now listen to the people and so on and so forth we need their european. lucian we need to check and and we negotiate even some basic bit of the us of european union. this kind of political response and it you know the british electorate thought of that and then rejected that idea as ever eve

twice italian foreign minister in silvio berlusconi's cabinets and a former european commissioner for justice freedom and security franco frattini franco frattini welcome back to going underground so a disaster for forza italia no it is not a job that will be able to find a way as usual we did still in even wars circumstances i'm quite optimistic because we are in a wiser a president much better and who is a statesman he will be able to manage if some difficult situations again is going to be a lot of dealing going on between the parties but do you don't think that the members of for the return here including silvio berlusconi have to rethink their strategy as regards their pro european union stance given italy's reject. well it is absolutely true do also warn the elections are duals don't want to rediscuss the our european policies and european and italian position this is a euro news is absolutely true goes all or not people for the norden the five stars that being even a book eighteen for italy it getting out from you are sol i don't think it will happen now either five star nor mi

they point to nobody really having an outright majority, but a coalition led by silvio berlusconi is coalition. which is kind of, on the face of it, amazing that you have someone who is currently not allowed to serve in politics because of his history, all the so—called bunga bunga parties, and you ask, how can we have this, in a modern state with the european responsibility we were talking about, it seems a bit dissonant to be re—electing an 81—year—old with this history? dissonant, yes, but not entirely. if you think about it, berlusconi is the original populist, you think about the similarities between him and trump, so it is coming back, nationalism is coming back, xenophobia is coming back. his brand of populism is very attractive, and he is also the devil you know. if you have been that long in politics, 30 years, you move from being a newcomer to being a statesman. a national treasure! national treasure, but having said that, it would probably be a disaster, because the coalition that he has put together is the same that failed miserably when he was last time in power, so you

its support across the country they're in a coalition with the party of former prime minister silvio berlusconi the eighty one year old is barred from office but may end up playing kingmaker the populist five star movement could gain the most votes though not enough to govern alone now . i just read one poll and i can say that we are just one step away from victory. one step or a few days the results of this most unpredictable election may not be known until early next week. some sports news now on match day twenty five for the bundesliga kicked off on friday night with two clubs on the upswing braman visiting a snow image. and the hosts storm to a first half advantage and as the car yeah with the opener on the way to a two nil gladbach lead braman fought all the way back and are on your hands an equaliser left a two two draw. now a major decision for the future of soccer is expected today from the sport's rule makers the international football association board will determine whether to approve the use of video technology the instant replays that help referees make key rulings. some believe it

they're in a coalition with the party of former prime minister silvio berlusconi the eighty one year old is barred from office but he may end up playing kingmaker. in the populist five star movement could gain the most votes though not enough to govern alone now being on it i just read one poll and i can say that we are just one step away from victory. one step or a few days the results of this most unpredictable election may not be known until early next week. let's now have a look at some of the other stories making news around the world in slovakia hundreds of people attended the funeral of the journalist young could see here his fiance were found dead in their home a week ago could see what is working on a story on italian organized crime in slovakia before he was killed seventy tahlia nationals detained in connection with the murders have been released. thousands of people have taken to the streets in berlin to protest turkey's military operation in the syrian region of afrin kurdish and german groups organized the rally in our anchor launched the offensive in january saying the

dominate the vote and could pave the way for the stunning comeback the former prime minister silvio berlusconi. and the shaky daily truce goes into effect for a fourth day in syria's eastern ghouta an agonizing wait for those trapped there to see if anything can finally get through. i'm brian thomas welcome to the show today is the final day of campaigning before italy goes to the polls this weekend and the result of sunday's general election is anything but a foregone conclusion there were demonstrations last night in rome the capital as protesters turned out against the extreme right wing party which held its final campaign rally in rome that party wants to abandon the euro and leave the e.u. now despite tensions out that rally no violence broke out the election pits a right wing coalition led by former prime minister silvio berlusconi now he's facing a center left alliance led by another former prime minister material renzi now the other main player the anti establishment five star movement the issue that has been driving this election campaign and will determine who wins is migration let's

that man is silvio berlusconi the former prime minister and billionaire eighty one years old and the centerpiece of many scandals involving among other things an under-aged call girl named ruby and tax fraud yet there is a good possibility she will be forging the next governing coalition once again it would be one leaning strongly to the right capitalizing on the current anti immigration in italy. in spite of his checkered past fellow party members think he's italy's best hope for reforms. you can lose a little time at the bank. going to school and he has extensively proven his dedication in the past he's a good businessman and he's achieved a lot for himself and his partners the strength of purpose and his passion are the reason why we civilians and i hope italians as a whole are turning back to him he is incredible man. miss the queen think you know you should jani and you spare i can you tell jani. and she has special ties to palermo it's here that he laid the foundation for his comeback in regional elections last year. at the market. lots of fans especially among men. when they w

former italian prime minister and leader of the right wing coalition silvio berlusconi prepares to cast his vote in milan but like so many things in this eighty one year old's life nothing is predictable. a topless activists from the women's group femen shouts time's up bella stony and your expired dallas county. but a lot. but there's little that can deter this veteran politician telescope he is barred from holding office because of tax evasion his coalition no could emerge as the largest bloc in parliament making him the kingmaker. and i used to like a cartoon character who wants everybody to like him what makes me laugh is the fact that in two thousand and eleven he was absolutely finished destroyed devastated to detect by everyone but now he's supposed to be the savior of the country. unique only he can adapt this way. i admire him a lot for his tenacity. to do that but bella scrutiny isn't the only politician who gets attention of the anti establishment five star movement led by luigi to my own could end up with the most votes but that may not be enough for an outright majority. en

is this the end of silvio berlusconi in forza italia?he end but the result is good for us. we also have the regional campaign in lombardia and in lazio. and it is important also the forza italia results in these regions. i think that it is important to understand what happens tomorrow because at the moment nobody is able to organise and to create a government. for the first time since the end of the vietnam war, the united states has sent an aircraft carrier to the country. the nuclear—powered uss carl vinson arrived this morning in danang, it was a visit intended to symbolise the growing military ties between the two countries and continuing us interest in the region. for more on this we can speak to our correspondent jonathan head in da nang. what is the us hoping to achieve? the official line is they hope to maintain peace and stability and showing friendship to vietnam and of course it is a powerfully symbolic location, almost 53 years ago, this, ora location, almost 53 years ago, this, or a few kilometres along the beach, was where

they're in a coalition with the party of former prime minister silvio berlusconi the eighty one year old is barred from office but he may end up playing kingmaker. populist five star movement could gain the most votes there not enough to govern alone being on it i just read one poll and i can say that we are just one step away from victory. one step or a few days the results of this most unpredictable election may not be known until early next week. now five months after elections here in germany the wait for a new government could almost be over members of the center left social democrats have voted on whether or not to enter a new grand coalition with on the americans conservatives and the result will be announced on sunday now an interim party leader all of scholz and parliamentary party leader and anonymous made a statement before a vote counting gets underway later this afternoon let's have a listen we'll get that clip for you a little bit later on i'm hearing moving on well the vote has pitted the social democrats old guard who wants to belittle me against its strong youth wing

the political system and silvio berlusconi e-mail average to ally. who are for the anti establishment the. movement. now one thing that we thought was particularly interesting was that there was the right wing the parties that were so popular ahead of the election despite the fact that we saw almost daily anti-fascist protests across the country those two ideas seem to be opposite each other. two main. fact or explain this all. to movement the first that is the high unemployment in italy and the sakal and that is the immigration this is why i hate the fat right to and the teacher really leave it all their core the fourth then in the sense of right they flourish and the more still hold the wallaces so successful we're going to be in the market all of italy because the immigration is. broken have particularly important important for people in this and nor could it not italy now we saw headlines warning that the e.u. would not be happy by any of the results of the election no matter which party came to power do you agree with us. i agree. is that. we vi

joining me now from the italian embassy in monte carlo is twice italian foreign minister in silvio berlusconi's cabinets and a former european commissioner for justice freedom and security franco frattini franco frattini welcome back to going underground subway disaster for forza italia no it is not a job that will be able to find your way as usual we did so even wars circumstances i'm quite optimistic because we are in a wise. president. who is a state he will be able to manage some difficult situations. ok there's going to be a lot of dealing going on between the parties but you don't think that the members of fours are entirely including zero berlusconi have to rethink their strategy as regards their pro european union stance given italy's reject of it. well it is absolutely true those who wound the elections do they want to rediscuss de it our european policies and european and italian position visit the euro this is absolutely true goes away people for the norden me if i start that at being even a book a team for italy it getting out from you are sol i don't think it will happen neither. n

as we just saw silvio berlusconi is hoping to make a stunning political comeback and he's announced just pick to take italy's top job berlusconi says antonio tejada the european parliament president has agreed to serve as prime minister if the center right coalition wins on sunday and embellished goni have been allies since the pair set up the fourth party in the early ninety ninety s. i'm now joined by philip phelan is an author and journalist who's been living in rome for more than thirty years philip let's start with a ani berlusconi has him on board to head up his patchwork coalition are we talking about the next prime minister of italy and if so what can we expect yes i think if anyone has a good chance to tell you and he is the man at the moment. seems like a good choice from discourteous point of view a way of reassuring people in europe that. the new center right government won't be yeah hardline and it's a euro skepticism would be breaching a european rules so. he is a is a reassuring choice both for the rest of europe and probably also for conservative centrist moderate voters

has been the biggest issue the vote pits a right wing coalition led by former prime minister silvio berlusconi against a center left alliance led by another former prime minister material rancy the other main player is the anti establishment five star movement with polls pointing to no clear winner most observers expect a hung parliament. with less than a day to go until elections almost one in three italians still don't know who they'll vote for polls show that no party has a clear majority and have not decided and second theo's if i google. and i'm able to cite they don't know lease which is their right to vote for free money it's the first election under italy's complicated new electoral law which has increased the chances of a hung parliament across the country parties held rallies to make their final pitches to voters former prime minister matteo renzi is pushing his track record he says his democratic party took italy out of economic crisis and helped desperate migrants. we are proud of having saved hundreds of thousands of human lives and not to have played on the fears of others but wh

we also of course have ford so tell us silvio berlusconi's movement who himself of course is not able to run for public public office political office given his previous convictions and nord which is of course a party that. has been seeing to be forming a coalition with those are some of the bigger contenders now the democratic party which was in power that was run by much iran see who in fact staked his political career on the referendum which he failed did not do quite well so far now lots of issues in this election immigration certainly became the bigger one of them with all of the sides being quite passionate on this topic with even protests taking place in italy in the days leading up to the election. was was. well this is certainly been an election that's been described by the media as quite cut chaotic a disappointment some have called it a farce no least throughout this evening when we've been know going from a press area to press area there's been issues with internet connections with the journalist forced to do live shots outside in the street in the rain so really to some o

it's unclear if forza italia, of the former prime minister, silvio berlusconi with 13.9% will be theest party within the centre—right coalition. our correspondent james reynolds has all the latest from milan. it only‘s populist five star movement celebrates the excellent polls. it is projected to be the single largest party in italy. on its own it does not have the numbers to form a government so it now needs to form a government so it now needs to find a coalition partner. translation: everyone will need to come and speak to us and i say, especially to the citizens, that this is a guarantee of transparency for the italian people because the other political parties will have to speak to us using our methods of transparency based on the proposals and solution we want to guarantee this country and this will take place in the next days and weeks. but a centre right alliance organised by former prime minister silvio berlusconi may end up as the biggest grouping in parliament. early results suggest this group's most powerful voice may now long to the anti— migrant league led by matteo sal

right wing alliance comprised of the anti immigrant league party and former prime minister silvio berlusconi's four said tahlia got the largest to share they are followed by the five star movement and then runs the center left alliance ended up in third. let's bring in matt to see standing by for us in rome hi gary good to see you what can you tell us about these reports of renzi stepping down. i'd not be surprised if you really were to step down i just talked to a political analyst who said renzi is finished and he connected his name his position as prime minister two years ago to a referendum on the constitution which was rejected he now is partly responsible at least for the historic losses of the central left political group here in italy so he basically has been rejected however his spokesperson disputed the media reports here that he actually stepped down he basically said i have no information that might boss resigned kerik heading into this felt there was a lot of talk about the return of another former prime minister silvio berlusconi and his party therefore to talia but they were ecl

they're in a coalition with the party of former prime minister silvio berlusconi the eighty one year old is barred from office but he may end up playing kingmaker. in the populist five star movement could gain the most votes though not enough to govern alone now when i met you i just read one poll and i can say that we are just one step away from victory. one step or a few days the results of this most unpredictable election may not be known until early next week. now to some of the other stories making news around the world slovak police say they've released the suspects detained in connection with the murder of journalist siac after holding them for forty eight hours the maximum period permitted under the law could siac have been working on a story about the influence of the italian mafia in slovakia he and his girlfriend were shot dead last weekend. as families of passengers from malaysia airlines flight three seventy marked the fourth anniversary of the plane's disappearance malaysian authorities say the search for the aircraft is expected to end by mid june the aircraft vanished