Tag: Emma Bonino

In the run-up to the Italian general election on March 4th, The Local is bringing you a daily round up of who's done what and why in the fast-moving world of Italian politics. Days to go until Italy votes: 12 We've had the final polls before voting day and the overseas votes are already making their way to be counted in Italy. Election emoji The Italian election now has its own emoji on Twitter: a ballot paper being dropped into a box decorated with the Italian flag. Only the man who's been in them longer than almost anyone else campaigning, one Silvio Berlusconi! De Luca's claim is that his rivals are seeking to discredit him and his party, the Democrats, days from the election. Italy is using a new, never before tested electoral law this year, which is why there's a new ballot paper, and also why the outcome is anything but certain. We've explain the new law in more depth here. Good news, bad news, fake news 2017 was the year of fake news, according to communications regulator Agcom, whose latest survey indicates that more and more Italians rely more and more heavily on social media for information. From the very start of the campaign, the Democratic Party accused supporters of its rivals – specifically the Five Star Movement and the League – of spreading disinformation designed to mislead voters. IN DEPTH: Forget the election, what's Italy's political system anyway?