Italy votes as far-right Meloni looks for victory

Italians are deciding whether to choose their most right-wing government since World War Two, in an election being followed closely across Europe.

Giorgia Meloni leads the far-right Brothers of Italy party and is aiming to become the country's first female prime minister allied with two other parties on the right.

She has softened her image and resents being linked to Italy's fascist past.

Almost 51 million Italians have the right to vote until 23:00 (21:00 GMT).

President Sergio Mattarella cast his ballot early in the Sicilian capital Palermo, while Ms Meloni's main rival - centre-left leader Enrico Letta - voted in Rome and her far-right ally Matteo Salvini voted in Milan. There are 2.6m first-time voters and 4.7 million abroad. read more