Prodi Takes Primaries

Centre-left supporters turned out en masse on Sunday for unprecedented ‘primary’ elections organised by the centre-left opposition to choose the coalition’s leader for next spring’s general elections. Former European Commission Chief Romano Prodi emerged as winner against six other centre-left candidates. Well over three million people cast their ballots at 9,731 voting booths set up across the country. Voters were asked to sign a form saying they support the opposition’s agenda and offer one euro as a contribution to the costs of the ballot. Prodi hailed the massive turnout, saying it went “beyond expectations. It’s beautiful, incredible. This is a great celebration of democracy at work.”