Europe

Election focuses on Lombardy battleground

Northern Italian town is set to play a decisive role in the outcome of national elections this weekend.
Last Modified: 22 Feb 2013 23:25

The stability of the eurozone is being tested in Italy as voters prepare to elect a new government.

One key battleground is Lombardy, in the north of the country.

The town generates a fifth of Italy's wealth, but crucially, is a stronghold of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Whatever government emerges from Sunday's vote, it will need to address Italy's deeply uncompetitive economy, in its longest recession for 20 years and effectively stagnant for two decades.

Al Jazeera's Paul Brennan reports from Lumezzane.

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