Italy Faces Deadlock in Election Aftermath

Pier Luigi Bersani's centre-left bloc has narrowly beaten ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi in the lower house but has failed to secure a majority in the Senate. File photo

Italy's parliamentary elections have ended in a political deadlock, as no party has achieved a clear majority in Parliament.

With all domestic votes counted, Pier Luigi Bersani's centre-left bloc has narrowly beaten ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi in the lower house but has failed to secure a majority in the Senate.

Under the Italian political system, control of both houses is needed to govern.

A protest movement led by comedian Beppe Grillo won a quarter of the vote. Grillo's movement has unexpectedly surged into third place across the country.

Overall Grillo's group won 8.7 million votes, more than any other single party.

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