Prodi claims victory in Italian elections

Things are looking interesting in Italy as Romano Prodi is claiming victory over Berlusconi in the Italian elections.

Berlusconi, who made several unhinged claims as the elections drew nearer, including the charge that the elections his government are in charge of "could be rigged", now faces the possibility of jail time if he loses the Premiership which he has used to fend off various legal prosecutions.

"We have won, and now we have to start working to implement our program and unify the country," Mr Prodi said at a rally in Rome.

But the claim was immediately contested by Mr Berlusconi's camp.

A spokesman for the sitting prime minister told reporters that the centre-right coalition would call for a "scrupulous" check of election ballots.

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