Some mild respite for the gov't in Rome as....>

ITALY: Some mild respite for the gov't in Rome as the centre-left Democratic

Party (PD) retains power in Emilia-Romagna's regional election. 

- With 99% of precincts reporting PD and its allies hold onto power with 51.4%

of vote to 43.7% for centre-right coalition which includes right-wing League of

former Dep. PM Matteo Salvini. 

- For the PD, result comes as huge relief. Turnout rose to 67.7% from 37.8% in

2014. Salvini putting himself front and centre in campaign seems to have

backfired somewhat, engendering mass protests (the 'sardines' movement) and

ensuring high turnout among those opposed to his populist politics.

- For the 5-Star Movement (M5S) the result comes as a blow. M5S did not campaign

vigorously, and voters may have gone with PD to keep League out, but a return of

just 3.5% will come as a concern at a time of major stress following the

resignation of leader Luigi di Maio last week.

- Political risk in Italy by no means gone. Focus will shift to party

conferences for M5S and PD in the spring, and prospect of further M5S defections

in parliament.