Italian election heats up

As polling for Italian elections draws closer, the political debate has plumbed increasingly lower depths.

Vulgar language and unedifying exchanges have overshadowed the final stages of the campaign.

Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi’s latest coup de theatre saw him refer to the country’s voters as “coglioni” – a vulgar term for testicles.

"I have too much esteem for the intelligence of Italians to think that they would be such coglioni as to vote against their own interests," the outspoken premier said with a smile on Tuesday.

"Excuse my rough but efficient language," he added.

Naturally the centre-left opposition were in no mood to forgive Berlusconi - who now appears to be lagging behind in the polls.

The ‘Ulivo’ alliance lead by former European commission president Romano Prodi reacted speedily to the latest insult.

In a statement, la Margherita said Berlusconi had confirmed himself to be "an uncouth and vulgar man."

"By using these ignoble and violent words, Berlusconi has thrown off the mask and revealed himself for what he is: a person who uses the media like a thug, and who lacks any respect for democracy, for institutions and for Italians."

The latest attention grabbing comments follow a theatrical television exchange between Berlusconi and Prodi on Monday night.

"He uses statistics like a drunk uses lamp-posts, more for support than illumination," Prodi said of the prime minister.

Berlusconi caught only the "drunk" part of the quote, flew into rage and replied that the leader of the opposition was no more than "a useful idiot."

But it was Monday’s announcement of a shock-tax give away that grabbed the attention of those interested in the politics of this close-run election.

After 90 minutes of ill-tempered debate, Berlusconi turned to the camera and announced that if re-elected he would abolish council tax on first homes.

This had never been hinted at in any previous policy announcement and Berlusconi gave no clues as to where the compensating funds might be found.

And as the debate was drawing to a close, Prodi had no opportunity to challenge the prime minister on his bolt from the blue.

The opposition later seized on the claims, branding them “desperate.”

“There is no way the voters will believe in such fibs,” Prodi told reporters.

Italians go to the polls on Sunday and Monday.

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