European Parliament election, 2009 (Italy)

Italian election of European Parliament, 2009

2004 ← 7 June 2009 → 2014

72 seats to the European Parliament   First party Second party   Leader Silvio Berlusconi Dario Franceschini Party The People of Freedom Democratic Party Alliance EPP S&D Leader since 26 January, 1994 16 February, 2009 Last election 20,9% 31.1% Seats before 27 24 Seats won 29 21 Seat change +2 -3 Popular vote 10,807,794 8,008,203 Percentage 35.3% 26.1% Swing +0.4% -5.0%

European elections to elect 72 members of the European Parliament (MEPs) representing Italy were held on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June 2009, as decided by the Italian government on December 18, 2008. Local elections were held the same day.

It is unusual for an election to be held in Italy on Saturday and Sunday; elections usually are held on Sundays and Mondays, but European elections always finish on Sundays not to delay the general results on continental level. An electoral threshold at 4% was introduced by the Italian Parliament.

The election was a victory for Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The parties supporting the government having won the majority of seats, 38. The opposition collectively elected 34 candidates.

Results

	Party	Votes	%	Seats
	The People of Freedom	10,807,794	35.3	29
	Democratic Party	8,008,203	26.1	21
	Lega Nord	3,126,915	10.2	9
	Italy of Values	2,452,569	8.0	7
	Union of the Centre	1,996,901	6.5	5
	Anticapitalist List (PRC, PdCI and others)	1,038,247	3.4	-
	Left and Freedom (Greens, PS, MpS and SD)	958,458	3.1	-
	Others	2,233,194	7.3	-
	Total	32,747,722	100.0	72