Grief overshadows Italy elections

President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi voted before going to the Vatican

Regional elections are under way in Italy, with the first of two days of polling overshadowed by the death of Pope John Paul II.

Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu has urged people not to let their grief stop them from taking part, but voting got off to a slow start on Sunday.

Voters are electing 14 of Italy's 20 regional governments.

The poll is seen as a test for Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi ahead of next year's general election.

Fears of a poor response followed an early end to campaigning when the Pope's health deteriorated last week.

Media coverage of the polls has been replaced by stories about the pontiff.

'Civic duty'

On Sunday, one woman, Francesca Girasole, told AFP news agency that she had different priorities.

"When Italians woke up today, the elections were definitely not the first thing on their minds," she said as she left St Peter's Square after paying her respects to the late Pope.

"Of course we are going to vote, but there is time for that tomorrow."

There had been calls for the entire election to be postponed, but Mr Pisanu refused to have the vote delayed.

"You can suspend football matches, but not elections," he told the Catholic newspaper, Avvenire.

He said it was important for the faithful not to let their grief stop them from doing their civic duty at the ballot box.

The elections are the first since Romano Prodi, former European Commission president, returned from Brussels to head the centre-left opposition grouping.

Mr Berlusconi's centre-right ruling coalition controls eight of the 14 regional governments up for election.

Analysts said its performance at the local elections could indicate whether it can succeed at the next national elections.