Berlusconi, ex-mayor face off in Italian election

By Stephen Brown and Silvia Aloisi

ROME (Reuters) - Italians voted on Sunday in a parliamentary election that could bring conservative media magnate Silvio Berlusconi back to power for the third time to deal with a deep economic and social malaise.

The 71-year-old billionaire's main challenger is centre-left leader Walter Veltroni, a former communist who portrays himself as a man of change, although his campaign promises of modest tax cuts and getting tough on crime are similar to Berlusconi's.

Many of Italy's 47 million voters were gloomy about the prospects for economic recovery and political stability as they chose their 62nd government since World War Two, especially as election laws make it hard for anyone to win a clear majority.

The centre-left coalition government led by Romano Prodi lasted just 20 months before it collapsed in January with Italy sliding towards economic recession.

"I don't care who wins. I just want a government that lasts," said 54-year-old teacher Francesco Antonazzi, voting in Rome after booths opened at 8 a.m. (0600 GMT). Voting ends at 3 p.m. on Monday and the result could be clear a few hours later.

Berlusconi, the only man in 50 years to have lasted a full term as prime minister, was applauded as he swept past voters in Milan, cast his ballot and kissed a three-year-old boy.

"Save us, Silvio," one voter shouted.

Veltroni, 52, the low-key leader of the Democratic Party and former mayor of Rome, waited in a long queue in the Italian capital until officials let him through to vote.