In Italy, Fascism Apparently Out of Style

Berlusconi toppled in election yesterday by Romano Prodi and his center-left coalition of Catholics, social democrats, communists, and environmentalists.

However, the margin of victory in the chamber came down to 25,000 votes. Berlusconi himself has not yet commented on the results, but his allies have called for a recount of up to 500,000 spoiled ballots.

A recount could unleash political chaos, evoking the 2000 U.S. presidential election, which ended in a bitter recount battle in Florida. For now, however, all eyes are on the vote count for the upper house, the Senate.