ROME-Italians are deciding whether to choose their most right-wing government since World War Two, in an election being followed closely across Europe.
Giorgia Meloni leads the far-right Brothers of Italy party and is aiming to become the country’s first female prime minister allied with two other parties on the right.
She has softened her image and resents being linked to Italy’s fascist past. Almost 51 million Italians have the right to vote until 23:00 (21:00 GMT).
By midday, turnout was more than 19%, similar to the last election four years ago, and long queues were reported at some polling stations in Rome.
Ms Meloni’s main rival - centre-left leader Enrico Letta - voted in the capital, while her far-right ally Matteo Salvini cast his ballot in Milan. There are 2.6 million first-time voters and 4.7 million abroad. Exit polls will come out when polls close and results will follow hours later.
In the Garbatella area of southern Rome - where the Brothers of Italy leader grew up - one voter praised her “strong character”, while another said she had voted to keep the far right out. “It’s not who I want to win, it’s who I don’t want,” said Emma. Giorgia Meloni backs Western sanctions on Russia and has toned down rhetoric on Europe.
But she still embraces an old slogan adopted by Benito Mussolini’s fascists: “God, fatherland and family”. She has also spoken out against the “LGBT lobby” and called for a naval blockade of Libya to halt migration.
An hour south of Rome, in the town of Latina, observers believe the far right can seize the town from the left. Founded by Mussolini in 1932, Latina still bears traces of the dictator, but has suffered from years of underfunding. “Take a look, it’s a disaster,” says one passer by. The town has had a left-wing mayor in recent years, but the far right has Latina in its sights. Matteo Salvini came here last week to round off his League party’s campaign. Centre-right Forza Italia under ex-prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, 85, is also part of Meloni’s coalition.
“Meloni speaks to the guts of the people,” says Gianluca Atlante, a journalist with regional newspaper Latina Oggi. Behind him sits the imposing Palazzo Emme, built in the shape of a letter M for Mussolini.