The electoral block led by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has made gains in regional elections, taking control of four regions from the centre-left opposition.
The anti-immigration Northern League has also made gains.
Despite rising unemployment, Italy's opposition held only seven of its 11 regional governments and was largely driven out of the wealthy north, Reuters reports.
Mr Berlusconi's People of Freedom alliance took four more regions while the Northern League coalition allies took two regions.
Mr Berlusconi said the result would contribute to the prospects of a stable political system.
