THE GUARDIAN , LONDON
Sunday, Jun 13, 2004,Page 1
The Italian left is crying foul after the office of the prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, sent 56 million text messages to mobile telephones urging their owners to turn out to vote in today's European and local elections.
The ballot has assumed a much greater importance in Italy than in most other EU nations, and a high turnout traditionally favors parties of the right-wing ruling coalition, including that of Berlusconi, Forza Italia.
But last night some opposition politicians were comforting themselves with speculation about a possible boomerang effect.
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