A new poll has shown that the majority of Italian voters between the ages of 18 and 40 support Eurosceptic parties like the Five Star Movement and the new right-wing coalition of populist Lega Nord and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia.
The poll, conducted by marketing firm Ixè, shows that the Five Star Movement (M5S) alone has the majority of support among Italians in their 30s while they, along with the new right-wing coalition, have around 35 per cent of voters aged 18-35, according to Italian polling website Termometro Politico.
Roberto D’Alimonte, professor of politics at Rome’s LUISS university, told The Times: “This poll shows Five Star is by far the most popular party among people in their thirties while Mr. Berlusconi’s electorate is typically ageing housewives.”
The polls show that the coalition between Mr. Berlusconi, the populist Lega Nord, and two other smaller parties have around 40 per cent of the over 64’s vote though both parties are almost tied for voters below 35.
“It’s been like this since 2013 — despite everyone believing Five Star support would evaporate, it has stayed solid,” professor D’Alimonte added.
M5S has long been known as a eurosceptic movement and have said in the past they would look to hold a referendum on whether or not to keep the euro currency in Italy. While M5S candidate Virginia Raggi was elected Mayor of Rome in 2016, the movement has yet to make significant gains in regional elections.
Lega Nord leader Matteo Salvini, who could become the next Italian prime minister as Mr. Berlusconi is ineligible due to a conviction for tax evasion, has also announced he wants to take Italy out of the euro currency.
Salvini made a speech last week outlining a plan to not only leave the euro but also to strengthen the border and triple the number of deportations of illegal migrants.
Italians will go to the polls to elect a new government on March 4th.
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