I moved to Belgium two years ago and I found that out of Italy Berlusconi is considered as an idiot and italians as well because they 're still voting him. I'm concerned while reading other people's comments here because lots of them are from Southern Italy ( Campania and Sicily) and they are going to vote the "mean gnome". Remember, one of his allies is Lega Nord which doesn't want you as part of Italy. Sound pretty controversial. Plus, you're gonna vote him because you think you'll get as rich as him if he's the prime minister. Well, never happened in hte past two times, nor this time, sorry.

Sarah, Louvain la Neuve, Belgium

We can't talk about "center-right" with Berlusconi,he's a business man,not a politician,he's knows nothing about politics.Just the idea of rehabilitate mafia is mad.
And,also,Berlusconi is working on populism to gain votes,building up a campaign on making fun of your oppositors,fighting with a no existant Comunism,(Comunism in Italy doesn't exist anymore,if it ever has been,we've NEVER had a Government made mainly of Comunists,they've always been a very small minorance with no power).He has NO new porpouses,in his last goverment has reduced only the taxes that only rich people pays, from that government the economical growt of Italy has stopped.He wants to buy Alitalia too,now,and he's talking about dictatorhis of the Left?He's even talking about firing Napolitano,and he can't build up a concrete program or speech.To win elections you MUST show what is your focus,not only the target to distruct (your oppositors).That's not serious,and not good for Italy.

Fabiana, Cagliari, Italy

Someone say that Mr Berlusconi is fit to govern italy because he is a successful businessman, for sure, he will be caring of his personal business, see TV act under his former government, all the rest will be in the hands of God. We should not forget that under his goverment Italy went nearly out of Maastricht Guidelines and GP grew less than all other European countries. However, his company capitalization grew by 500%, not bad, that is why he is so keen in going back to power at age of 72
Mario, Verona, Italy

Mario Morgante, Verona, Italy

I'm not sure you have to choose Veltroni only because Berlusca controls a lot of media. It's a problem of course, but Prodi won two times the elections, and I saw Veltroni as well decided to keep this matter quite far to the election campaign. And about Berlusconi's links with mafia, Napoli and Campania have been governed for more than 15 years by Bassolino and the left party. Camorra seems in a good health, get good business...while population dead under trash mountains and breathe pollution because of it.
There are some great personality of culture and journalism, without links with politicians, as Franco Cardini, or Massimo Fini, who are doing campains for abstention. I think, actually, is the right thing to do, for us, for the italian citizens. Sorry for mistakes.

Antonio, Galway, Ireland

I would like to point out the following:
1) Before, in Italy, the military service was compulsory. Thanks to an act of the past Italian center-right Government this was abolished. Now the Army in Italy is a professional one. Millions of Italian youngsters should be grateful to that Government for this.
2) Under the past Italian center-right Government the monthly checks of the Italian retired people have been increased to a minimum of € 516,45. Millions of Italian retired people should be grateful to that Government for this.
3) The past Italian center-right Government made a new road safety act that has reduced the number of victims on road accidents. All the Italians shoul be grateful for this.
4) The past Italian center-right Government has tried to improve the security of the common people by letting more policemen on the streets. All the Italian citezens should appreciate this.
I could continue, but there are few characters left.

Zaffiro, Palermo,

Veltroni is an ex-journalist who knows nothing about economics or any other matters concerned with running a country.
Berlusconi may own televison stations, but the left own RAI and LA7! Berlusconi may own some newspapers, but the extreme left also have thier newspapers such as Unita and the manifesto.
Prodi has made ITaly the laughing stock of the World by turning Campania into one big rubbish dump! He then tried to give Alitalia away to the French just to damage the north because they didnt vote for him! The left is simply not fit to govern a sweet shop!

Sara, Campania, Italy

I am an Italian girl. Every day I wonder why people vote Belusconi. He owns three TV channels, one radio, several newspapers and a publishing house. He is media mogul and he is promoting himself every single day. This looks like a conflict of interests.
He made my country the laughing stock of Europe, corruption grew during his goverment. Mr Veltroni may not be perfect, he's not,but is he better than Belusconi? Definitely yes.
Sorry for my poor English.

GIulia, Pavia, Italy

I have not read this story in the Italian media. Berlusconi is concentrating on reducing fiscal pressure on families, restarting the economy and getting to grips with the soaring crime rates. This story is another anti-Berlusconi article aimed at trying to damage his image abroad.

Matt, Napoli, Italy

I'd like to answer to Carmine from Salerno:
1. "economic growth forecast for 2008/9 at zero" is valid regardless who's going to run Italy ;
2. economic growth index reached 1.9% after Mr.Prodi's 20 months office, while stagnated between 0 and 0.1 % after 5 ys of Berlusconi full term (source: FT);
3. deficit/GDP ratio felt down from 4.4 left by Mr Berlusconi to 2.1 after 20 months of Mr Prodi office (source: FT);
4. Unemployment decreased for the first time in 15 ys below 8% after Mr Prodi office
5. Tax evasion (Italy's chronic and outraging disease) amounts up to 7 pts of GDP (more than 100 bln €): while it has been repeatedly justified by Mr Berlusconi, it has been strenghtly fought by center-left govt.
Finally, you ask : "Why would you not vote for Popolo della liberta`?"
Because anybody who cares for his/her country cannot accept that a man convicted of a Mafia-linked murder (who had lived in Berlusconi's house for years) could be called "a hero" by Berlusconi chief adviser.

Paolo, Cagliari, Italy

All the chat about Berlusconi cannot govern because of a conflict of interests is nonsense. In the UK parties accept millions of pounds in donations from major businesses which is even worse than owning a newspaper or television. Conflicts of interest exist in every political arena whether in the UK, France or Italy. After all, RAI is completely left wing, but nobody complains about that!

Matt, Napoli, Italy

The Partito Democratico is full of politicians that make up the current Prodi government. Even though Prodi says he is quitting politics, he is still the chairman of the Partito Democratico. These same politicians that have spent most of the last 40 years in charge of Italy adding to its woes, are trying to convince the Italians that they are now the people to change Italy for the better????

Steve, Essex, Italy

Veltroni is making anti-mafia speeches including those on how to combat it. Let's not forget that his Government has been in power for most of the post-war and are still there today, so why havent they defeated it? He makes speeches as if he has just spent ten years in opposition?

Sara, Rome, Italy

Veltroni says he will completew th ework done by Prodi?
That work is:-
Failure to complete a full term of office
economic growth forecast for 2008/9 at zero
inflation at 4.4%
Taxation at an all time high.
Crime at an all time high.
The image of Italy destroyed by the rubbish crisis in Naples, a city run by Veltroni's PD party.

Why would you not vote for Popolo della liberta`?

Carmine, Salerno, Italy

To the alternative looking one: Berlusconi and the word " serious" cannot be used in the same sentence.

matteo, verona,

I live in a country where people like Mr Berlusconi can win election with NO respect to the same istitutions that he would represents.
In italy he controls media, newspapers, networks and so on. Those who oppose are accused to be communists or emenies of freedom. This is disgusting.
Italy deserves a future better than him, but I'm afraid this is not the right time...

Aaron, Sinnai, Italy

Firstly Berlusconi did not make these comments; allegedly Mr Utri did. Therefore how the Times can make such a statement is beyond me? It is a fact that more mafiosi were arrested during the five years of Berlusconi that ever before, and therefore the accusation here trying to link Berlusconi with the mafia simply doesnt hold water.
One of the regions most hit by mafia networks is Naples where Veltroni's PD is in control. It is their minister Mr Bassolino, who has been accused of being an accessory to the Camorra. Despite all these accusations, and the fact that Bassolino has destroyed the economy and image of Naples, Veltroni wants him to remain in charge? WHat dies this tell us about Veltroni?

Matt, Naples, Italy

Veltroni is Prodi and Prodi failed terribly. The only serious alternative is Berlusconi.

Davide, Verona, Italy

I share with Diego from Cremona the hope that at next weekend elections the Italians will take the right decision but I am firmly convinced that tje right decision will be to vote Berlusconi.

Roberto Castellano, Salsomaggiore, Italy

Veltroni, like his predecessor is far more into spin than policy making. It is his party that tried to give Alitalia to the FRench, and then wants to accuse Berlusconi of not defending Italian interests?

Sara, Rome, Italy

I'm an italian guy, I think that in Italy we can't have a president that considerer the Mafiosi the heroes!!! But we say that the first Mafioso is Silvio...
I hope that Sunday and Monday the italian people will take the right decision because this country is of decline...
I hope that our future will be free...
I'm sorry but my english isn't very well.

Diego, cremona, Italy

I'm surprised that Silvio Berlusconi would consider giving any credence to what the Mafia has done let alone promoting them as heroes in books. Italy like so many other European Union nations has fallen under the heel of political correctness and pressure from immigrant groups to not publish anything that reflects the religion or political beliefs of the host country as it is deemed offensive so I highly doubt Silvio will get his way.

Douglas Cochrane, Halifax,

So he has now completely lost his marbles.

D Case, Newquay,