By Duncan Kennedy
BBC News, Rome
**Italians are about to go to the polls in regional elections being seen as a test of popularity for Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.**Thirteen out of Italy’s 20 regions are involved in the ballot.
Mr Berlusconi has been at the centre of a number of controversies in recent months, which may affect his party’s chances.
Meanwhile, Italian authorities say they have intercepted a letter to Mr Berlusconi containing a bullet.
In a separate incident an incendiary device addressed to his interior minister caught fire and injured the hands of a postman in Milan.
An anarchist group said it sent the package. It is not known who sent the letter.
Coalition questioned
Outside of the European elections, this is the biggest test of public opinion since Silvio Berlusconi was elected two years ago.
His centre right People of Freedom party only holds two of the regions but had been expected to pick up more this time.
However, a series of political and personal controversies surrounding Mr Berlusconi in recent months could make that fewer.
Some analysts say a bad election result for Mr Berlusconi might give his coalition partners, the Northern League, more power over him.
Others say he may even face a challenge to his leadership, though that is seen by most as unlikely.
Even though the voters’ top concern is unemployment and the economy, the election campaign has been dominated by allegations that Mr Berlusconi tried to ban TV political talk shows, a claim he denies.
In recent days it has been the Pope and the Church abuse scandal which has also been extensively covered on the front pages, rather than the election.
But this is a rare chance for millions of Italians to express their views on Mr Berlusconi.
Although turnout may not be high, the results will be studied by his allies and opponents alike, to see which direction Italy will follow.