Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera
People wave flags, gesture and chant slogans in support of Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right People of Freedom (PDL) party during its final rally before a ban on campaigning ahead of the vote. Italians cast their ballots on Sunday and Monday.
Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera
Angelino Alfano, secretary of the PDL, addresses supporters in the Mostra d'Oltremare conference room in Naples, where the party held their last rally. Berlusconi, whose party has been catching up to the leading Democratic Party (PD) in the polls, was unable to attend because of a bout of conjunctivitis.
Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera
Berlusconi speaks to supporters on a video-screen during his last electoral rally. It was the sixth election campaign for Berlusconi, who has been prime minister three times. The media tycoon and politician has survived multiple court cases, sex scandals and diplomatic gaffes.
Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera
Leader of the PD Pier Luigi Bersani addresses his supporters. Polls suggest that Bersani will narrowly edge out former three-time Prime Minister Berlusconi in a vote seen as crucial for the future of the Eurozone as the winner will face the arduous task of pulling Italy out of the longest recession it has faced in a generation.
Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera
Naples Royal palace in the city's Plebiscito Square is seen under a flag of the PD, a centre-left party headed by former Communist Bersani, during the party's last rally before the 2013 general elections.
Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera
A PD supporter carries a flag during the party's last rally in Naples. Party officials say that if Bersani wins, his priorities would
include cutting payroll taxes to create jobs, strengthening
anti-corruption laws, and bolstering state institutions.
Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera
Leader of the Left, Ecology, Freedom party (SEL) Nichi Vendola, addresses his constituents during a rally organised by his party in Naples to mark the end of the campaigning. Vendola's party is allied to the PD, which may also be joined by Mario Monti's centrist coalition to help the PD gain a majority in the Senate.
Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo/Al Jazeera
A man waves an Italian flag during the SEL party rally in Naples. With a large number of voters undecided as of the last polls, analysts warn that anything could happen during the two days of voting.