Berlusconi and Prodi Square Off in Tv Debate

Italy's prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, and Romano Prodi, the man who aims to oust him, clashed on television last night in a high-profile debate during which both men strove to lure undecided voters.

It was the first time Mr Berlusconi had squared off against his professorial rival since 1996 when Mr Prodi won a closely-fought campaign. Then, as now, the contrast between the businesslike Mr Berlusconi and the mild-mannered, soft-spoken economics teacher could scarcely have been greater.

Polls suggest Mr Prodi is again set to defeat Italy's richest man. The latest survey gave the centre-left opposition a lead of 4.3%, although the gap has narrowed in recent weeks.

But Italy's best-known pollster, Renato Mannheimer, said 24% of the electorate had yet decide whether to vote and, if so, for whom. Writing in the daily Corriere della Sera, he said past experience suggested about half of Italy's undecided voters would go to the polls.

Last night's TV duel, the first of two before voting on April 9 and 10, marked the latest stage in a campaign dominated so far by media issues and antics. Mr Berlusconi tried unsuccessfully to overturn rules on equal airtime and then attempted to dodge them by getting himself invited to a stream of programmes before the rules took effect.

At one stage Mr Prodi's side broke off the negotiations for last night's debate, claiming the arrangements would favour the prime minister. And on Sunday Mr Berlusconi walked out of a programme in protest at persistent hostile questioning by the interviewer.

Mr Berlusconi's walkout was the latest in a string of incidents that has drawn attention towards him and away from topics such as Italy's economic stagnation.

His previous long-winded defences of his government's record presented a challenge to the organisers of last night's debate. But both candidates agreed to rigid rules last night. Two journalists, one chosen by each of the candidates, put the questions. Replies were limited to two and a half minutes, after which the other candidate was free to comment for a further minute. There was no audience and close-ups were forbidden as were shots focusing on one candidate while the other was speaking. Personal make-up artists were also banned.