Party leaders vote in Italy local elections

Italians have until mid-afternoon on Monday to cast their votes in local elections and in a referendum that would significantly cut the number of members of parliament.

Voters were required to wear masks and maintain social distancing as they cast ballots in regional contests originally scheduled for the spring but delayed due to the pandemic.

Luigi Di Maio, Foreign Minister and former leader of the Five Star Movement got cheers of approval and chants of "Luigi" as he went to vote in his home town of Pomigliano D'Arco.

The 5-Stars, which have the most members of any party in the lower house after the 2018 election, has made reforming Italy’s often moribund institutions a central political plank.

It says the move, which would cut lower house lawmakers from 630 to 400 and those in the Senate from 315 to 200,  will save 500 million euros (580 million US dollars) each five-year legislative period.

The Five Star Movement is in a convenient if uncomfortable coalition with Italy Democratic Party headed by Nicola Zingaretti, who cast his ballot in Rome on Sunday.

The Five- Star and Democratic Party coalition have backed the government of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

The Democratic Party has also supported the "Yes" vote in the referendum.

Most parties back the constitutional reform, which has already been passed by parliament but without the two-thirds majority that would have avoided a referendum.

Still, many top political voices say they are voting ‘’no'' as the move would reduce regional representation.

Regional leadership is also being decided in seven regions of the country.

The toughest contest is expected in Tuscany, where the right-wing League party leader, Matteo Salvini, is betting his candidate can oust the Democratic Party from the left-wing stronghold.

Veneto Governor Luca Zaia of the League party is expected to win his third mandate handily after helping Veneto avoid the worst of the pandemic through targeted testing early on and protocols that took the pressure off intensive care wards.

The other races are considered a test of the strength of the right-wing opposition, led by Salvini.

Mayoral races also were being held in 1,000 towns and cities.

Polls will close at 3 p.m. (1300 GMT) on Monday and results of the votes expected by late afternoon.