With barely a month to go before Italy’s crunch vote, both the 31-year-old leader of the populist 5-Star Movement and the 81-year-old behind the centre-right Forza Italia are seeking to widen their appeal to the mainstream.
A hung parliament remains the most likely outcome of the March 4 general election. However, polls show the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, led by Luigi Di Maio, is Italy’s single most popular party, while a coalition of right-wing parties around Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia commands the biggest overall share of the vote.
Up until now, 5-Star’s opposition to coalition-building has meant it is considered unlikely to get the first chance to try to form a government.
But on Wednesday, Mr Di Maio seemed to indicate a shift in stance as he reportedly told a group of institutional investors that he would be willing to collaborate with his opponents if the election throws up a political stalemate.
“Di Maio said repeatedly that if he does not have enough seats to govern alone, he saw the likelihood of a government backed by all the main parties, including 5-Star,” a source who attended the meeting in London told Reuters.
Mr Di Maio later denied he would consider post-election alliances with other parties, but said he would negotiate with them on policies.
“I will make a public appeal to all the political parties, asking them to agree on policies and on our government team, without any type of alliances,” he posted on Facebook.
The comments are the latest sign that the party is taking a new direction ahead of the general election.
Founded as a protest movement by bombastic comedian Beppe Grillo in 2009, 5-Star capitalised on widespread distrust of the main parties to become a major political force. But in recent months, Mr Grillo has appeared less and less at party events, while Mr Di Maio – elected in September as the party’s new leader – is seen to represent the moderate wing of the party.
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Read more:
Italy’s Berlusconi seduces voters in final bid for power
Italy prepares for March election with voters gloomy about future prospects
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Mr Di Maio has sought to shed the party’s maverick, populist image, and also reassure foreign capitals that it can be trusted with power. Most recently, he has softened the party’s stance on the euro, saying he sees the possibility of a referendum on the single currency is a “last resort”.
"The fact that Di Maio was in London at all is a sign that things are changing," Luigi Ferrata, public affairs account director at Community Group, told The National. "He's trying to be less radical, a real leader, able to have dialogue with Europe and with senior investors."
Meanwhile, former prime minister Mr Berlusconi has been seeking to reassure voters who are concerned about his party’s alliance with the far-right, anti-EU Northern League, led by Matteo Salvini.
The four-time prime minister is currently appealing against a ban on his standing for office again, following a 2013 conviction for tax fraud. But either way, he is positioning himself as a potential kingmaker who could end up pulling the strings of power after March 4.
His Forza Italia party had been expected to lead a centre-right group of parties into the election, including the Northern League, which takes a tough stance on immigration and has railed against the euro, and the Brothers of Italy, which has links to Italian fascism.
But according to La Repubblica newspaper, Mr Berlusconi met with senior EU leaders last week and assured them that he would form a moderate government which excluded the more extreme fringes.
In meetings with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Manfred Weber, leader of the European People’s Party group, in Brussels last week, Mr Berlusconi is believed to have categorically declared: "We will not go to government with Salvini.”
The newspaper reported that Mr Berlusconi now expects to couple up with the left-leaning Democratic Party of Matteo Renzi in a broad cross-party coalition, which would also exclude the Five-Star Movement.
“Berlusconi aimed his comments about Salvini to the electorate rather than Juncker,” Mr Ferrata observed. “Juncker is already fully aware that Salvini won’t take office after the election.”
“Parts of the electorate – the conservative, moderate voters – could be scared by the messages of the Northern League,” he continued. “These are the people Berlusconi is trying to appeal to”.
Speaking on Monday, Mr Salvini rejected the reports from La Repubblica as "fake news" and said that he had full confidence in his pact with Mr Berlusconi.
“I trust Berlusconi, I trust the clear agreements and the signed programs,” he said.
However, Mr Ferrata believes that this notion of a “great coalition” between Mr Renzi, Mr Berlusconi and several other smaller parties is the most plausible option after March 4.
“A great coalition is the most likely outcome on the basis of the polls – between the Democratic Party, Forza Italia, some other smaller parties and some Members of Parliament who will leave their party of origin to allow a government to start,” he said.
“Otherwise, we will see a re-run of elections later in the year.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
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The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
GREATEST ROYAL RUMBLE CARD
The line-up as it stands for the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia on April 27
50-man Royal Rumble
Universal Championship
Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns
Casket match
The Undertaker v Rusev
Intercontinental Championship
Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
SmackDown Tag Team Championship
The Bludgeon Brothers v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship
Sheamus and Cesaro v Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy
United States Championship
Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
Singles match
Triple H v John Cena
To be confirmed
AJ Styles will defend his WWE World Heavyweight title and Cedric Alexander his Cruiserweight Championship, but matches have yet to be announced
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The story in numbers
18
This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens
450,000
More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps
1.5 million
There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m
73
The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association
18,000
The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme
77,400
The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study
4,926
This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee
LOVE%20AGAIN
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
Sweet%20Tooth
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
65
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Zodi%20%26%20Tehu%3A%20Princes%20Of%20The%20Desert
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RESULTS
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: Najem Al Rwasi, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
2.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Fandim, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Harbh, Pat Cosgrave, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
3.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Wakeel W’Rsan, Richard Mullen, Jaci Wickham
4pm: Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jawaal, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
4.30pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (TB) Dh200,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
RACE SCHEDULE
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday, September 29
First practice: 7am - 8.30am
Second practice: 11am - 12.30pm
Saturday, September 30
Qualifying: 1pm - 2pm
Sunday, October 1
Race: 11am - 1pm
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5