Italy votes in key general election

Italians have begun voting in general elections seen as crucial for the country's effort to tackle its economic problems, as well as for the eurozone.

Estimates published before a ban on polls two weeks ago gave a lead to Pier Luigi Bersani's centre-left alliance.

It was thought to be a few points ahead of the centre-right bloc led by ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

On Saturday, Mr Berlusconi gave a TV interview - in what his opponents said was a breach of the campaigning ban.

However, Mr Berlusconi's office later said the interview had been granted only with the explicit agreement that it would be broadcast after polls close on Monday.

A centrist coalition led by outgoing Prime Minister Mario Monti is also running in the election, held on Sunday and Monday.
Polling stations are open on Sunday and Monday

And opinion polls suggested there would be a strong turnout for popular comedian Beppe Grillo's anti-establishment movement.

The election was called two months ahead of schedule, after Mr Berlusconi's party withdrew its support for Mr Monti's technocratic government.Hung parliament fears

The voting is taking place amid a deep recession and austerity measures that have caused widespread public resentment.

It is also being closely watched in the eurozone, with the Italian government's future commitment to austerity measures particularly under scrutiny.
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ITALY ELECTION

Voting takes place on Sunday and Monday
Voting for both upper and lower houses
Pits centre-left coalition led by Pier Luigi Bersani against coalition led by former PM Silvio Berlusconi
Surge in popularity of anti-establishment movement of comedian Beppe Grillo
Key battlegrounds include Lombardy, Campania, Sicily and Veneto

On the first voting day on Sunday, polls across Italy opened 08:00 (07:00 GMT) and will close at 22:00.

The voting will resume again on Monday at 08:00 and finish at 15:00. First results are expected in the early evening.

Some 47 million eligible voters are electing both chambers of parliament - the The Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.

The electoral system is based on proportional representation and party lists, with a series of thresholds to encourage parties to form coalitions.

Mr Bersani's centre-left Democratic Party (PD) has been a consistent frontrunner in the opinion polls at nearly 35%.

Mr Bersani, a former Communist, has pledged to continue with Mr Monti's reforms, but suggests current European policy needs to do more to promote growth and jobs.

However, recent weeks have seen a narrowing of his lead over Mr Berlusconi's People of Freedom (PdL) alliance, who is critical of austerity measures.

Mr Grillo's Five Star Movement (M5S) was running third in the polls.

London-based analysts Capital Economics said an unclear outcome to the election was its biggest concern.

"A hung parliament might plunge Italy and the eurozone back into crisis rather sooner," it said.