DHAKA: Rome is likely to elect its first female mayor in a run-off vote in municipal elections.

Virginia Raggi, from the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, is seen as favorite against Roberto Giachetti of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), BBC reports on Sunday (June 19).

Her victory would be a blow to Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
His PD party may also lose in Italy's financial capital, Milan, and faces tough battles in Turin and Bologna.

Raggi, a 37-year-old lawyer, won 35% of the vote in the first round two weeks ago, against 24% of Giachetti.

Correspondents say a victory in Rome would give Five Star a platform for parliamentary elections due in 2018.

BDST: 1008 HRS, June 19, 2016
SAS/AKA