The centre-right coalition in Italy has won about 37% of the parliamentary vote, according to preliminary results from Sunday’s election released by the country’s interior ministry.
The 5-Star Movement has taken about 31%, with the centre-left coalition far behind with 23%.
With no faction winning a clear majority, the results early on Monday confirm that negotiations to form a government that can win a confidence vote in parliament are likely to be long and fraught.
The partial results show the right-wing, anti-immigrant League party of Matteo Salvini surpassing the establishment Forza Italia party of ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi.
The League captured around 18%, while Forza Italia had less than 14%.
The results confirm the defeat of the two main political forces that have dominated Italian politics — Forza Italia and the centre-left.
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