Italy election: Polls set to open in unpredictable contest

Italians are set to vote after a divisive campaign dominated by concerns over immigration and the economy.

Correspondents say it is hard to say who will come out on top in an unpredictable contest.

The anti-establishment Five Star Movement, ruling Democratic Party and ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi's right-wing coalition have all predicted victory.

But Mr Berlusconi, 81, cannot himself hold public office until next year due to a tax fraud conviction.

The four-time prime minister - who has allied himself with the anti-immigrant League party - has backed European Parliament President Antonio Tajani as his choice to lead the country.

Italy vote: Who's who and why it matters
Opinion polls were banned in the last two weeks of the campaign but surveys before that suggested Mr Berlusconi's alliance was in front but would not win a majority.

Five Star is widely expected by pollsters to emerge as the single biggest party.

What are the key issues?
Immigration

More than 600,000 migrants have made the treacherous journey from Libya across the Mediterranean to reach Italy since 2013.

The huge number of arrivals has upset many Italians - with politicians, including from the mainstream, toughening their rhetoric as a result.

Mr Berlusconi has called the presence of illegal migrants a "social time-bomb" and pledges mass deportations.

The campaign has seen violent clashes between far-right supporters and anti-fascist protesters

Immigration dominates Italian election
The economy

Italy's economy has started to expand once again but nearly 10 years on from the Global Financial Crisis, Italy's gross domestic product - or total economic output - remains 5.7% lower than pre-crisis levels.

source;www.bbc.com