The Guardian reports on what seems to be a backfiring poster campaign by the Italian Prime Minister. According to a survey by Coesis research, writes Sophie Arie,
Although 80% of the 406 voters polled had seen the Big Brother-style posters and the big figures, only 6% were convinced by them. 57% of former Forza Italia voters were so put off by them they were considering voting for someone else.Berlusconi's posters feature a smiling photo of the man himself beside a stastic showing the achievements of the Forza Italia-led government. Meanwhile the opposition, led by European Commission head Romano Prodi, has put up posters that also stress its leader's personality while carrying the slogan "Iraq, a mistaken war."
Sophie Arie, The laughable cavaliere. Guardian, 20 May 2004.
We told you so The Economist, 13 May 2004.