Italian Elections at a Glance

Some facts about Italy’s parliamentary elections Sunday:

Eligible voters: 49.45 million, or 86% of Italy’s 57.7 million citizens.

Surveys: Opinion polls are banned in the two weeks leading up to the vote.

Turnout: 83% in 1996, the last parliamentary elections.

Senate: 232 elected by direct vote; 83, or about 25%, assigned proportionally. In addition to the 315 elected senators, there are nine senators-for-life. A simple majority is 163.

Chamber: 475 directly elected; 155, or 25%, proportional seats. A simple majority is 316.

Prime minister: The head of Italy’s government is named by the coalition that succeeds in mustering a majority in Parliament. The contenders are media baron Silvio Berlusconi, 64, leader of a conservative coalition; and former Rome Mayor Francesco Rutelli, 46, of the incumbent center-left.

Parliament: Each term lasts five years, although many end much sooner when early elections are called after governments stall. The Parliament voted into office Sunday will be Italy’s 14th since World War II. The new government will be Italy’s 59th since the war.

Parties: Italy has 174 registered parties, including one called the Holy Roman Empire and another called the Dumpling Party. Few run nationwide, none are able to muster a parliamentary majority, and coalitions are essential.

The main coalitions are Berlusconi’s conservative Freedom Alliance, and the incumbent, the center-left Olive Tree, whose largest party is made up of former Communists.