Berlusconi is Italy's longest serving post-war prime minister. He's a born showman, also known as Il Caviliere, and he's popularized football slogans in politics. The owner of a vast media empire and one of Italy's richest men, even if he fails to win he could prove a thorn in the side of any future leader through his power in senate. He has allied with the right-wing Northern League Party.
The head of Italy's "technocrat government," Monti was the unelected leader who stepped in when Berlusconi's government collapsed in November 2011. An economist, former EU commissioner and a member of the Bilderberg group, he leads a centrist coalition called "With Monti for Italy." He has pushed through reforms to stem the debt crisis and has several elder statesmen (like Fini) on his side.
The leader of the Democratic Party (PD), Bersani is a seasoned politician who has moved from the communist party to the center of left-wing politics. Polls indicate that he is the front-runner, although his lead has become slimmer as the elections approach. He supports Monti's austerity measures and, by literally rolling up his sleeves (in homage to a colleague), wants to convey vigor and youth.
Maroni was Berlusconi's interior minister and is now the de facto leader of the Northern League. Just as in previous administrations, La Lega have allied with Berlusconi's PDL in an election pact to try and win support for their federalist, right-wing politics. They strongly contest Monti's reforms, and in Lombardy, near Milan, are expected to win a landslide victory.
The charismatic Bossi was the leader of the Northern League until July 2012, when he stepped back from day-to-day leadership after allegations that he had been appropriating party funds for private use. His son, Renzo, also in the party, has been accused of buying his degree from a private Albanian university and of benefiting from his father's position through promotions.
He qualified as an accountant before becoming a comedian, actor, blogger and now, political activist. He founded the Five Star Movement in 2009 to fight the corruption and dishonesty that he feels is inherent in Italian politics and society. He opposed Monti's policies and has spent most of his campaigns pointing fingers at rivals. He fights for an open society and freedom of speech.
"Il Divo" is Italy's longest-serving politician. He is a senator for life and has been prime minister three times. He presided over Italy during the turbulent "lead" years, when the country was torn apart by bullets and bombs from the left, right, the mafia and the secret services. His power in the senate is considerable. In the past, his refusal to vote on issues has brought down governments.
Napolitano is the first Italian president to be a former member of the Communist party. Prior to becoming president he was interior minister under Prodi in the 90s and president of the chamber of deputies. Since he took office, he has been widely regarded as steering a good ship, protecting the Republic and democracy whilst presiding over a turbulent time with three different prime ministers.
A left-wing politician and president of Italy's Apulia region, Vendola (second from right) and his coalition recently joined the Democratic Party under Bersani. Together with the Italian Socialists, they formed a center-left front called "Italia. Bene Comune" ("For the common good of Italy"). Vendola is a prominent gay rights activist and has fought hard to fight prejudice.
A former prime minister, minister of foreign affairs and member of parliament, Massimo D'Alema is now a member of the Democratic Party (PD). He started his own pro-European foundation, Italiani Europei, and is the president of the foundation for European progressive studies. A former journalist, he is the author of several books, including his latest, "Contro Corrente" (Counter current).
Fini will fight alongside Monti in a Centrist coalition. He is a seasoned politician and a charismatic figure. Under Berlusconi he played the role of moderate elder statesman, and was president of the Chamber of Deputies. He has also led the Conservative National Alliance, and started his political life in the Former Post-Fascist party, the MSI (Italian Social Movement).
The Stop the Decline party was founded in August 2012. Giannino is a well-known journalist. Joining with fellow journalists and economists, his party fights on liberal-libertarian lines. Their aims: reduce national debt by 20 percent in five years, reduce citizen tax burden. He wants federalism, more privatisation and university reform. Forced to resign as leader, he remains a candidate for PM.
Comprises diverse parties such as IDV, Italy of Values, led by the former anti-corruption judge, Antonio Di Pietro, as well as various communist and eco-inspired parties. Left leaning, it includes several mayors and former judges mainly from the South. Ingroia himself is a magistrate, and worked in the anti-mafia pool with Falcone and Borsellino, famously killed by the Mafia in the 1990s.
On February 24 and 25, Italy goes to the polls, in an election watched closely by the whole of Europe, fearful that the new government might reverse the reforms implemented by Mario Monti, so who's who at the urns?
On February 24 and 25, Italy goes to the polls, in an election watched closely by the whole of Europe, fearful that the new government might reverse the reforms implemented by Mario Monti, so who's who at the urns?
