ABSTRACT
The general elections that took place on 9 and 10 April 2006 marked the ultimate expression of bipolarism in Italy. By ultimate we do not mean that bipolarism is destined to end any time soon, but rather that in the future it is unlikely that it will be represented so effectively, with such duality and such fragmentation. An electorate split exactly in half emerged from the ballot boxes, as the two competing coalitions, the centre-left Union (Unione) and the centre-right House of Freedoms (Casa delle libertà – CdL), obtained an almost equal number of votes.
