Mr Maroni, head of the Northern League and former interior minister, would be joint candidate for the governorship of the region of Lombardy which holds elections on the same day as the national polls.

CNN: Berlusconi in pact with rightwing League

Secondly, should the prohibition on standing as a candidate in both a constituency and a region be lifted?

BBC: Pushing the boundaries: MPs debate assembly elections

CDU's candidate for chancellor, comes from the region which explains why the east looms so large in the current campaign.

ECONOMIST: Germany's election

Neither candidate appears to want to unleash another US military intervention in the region, though both clearly would not rule out the use of force.

BBC: US candidates face up to foreign policy dilemmas

China is still a candidate for the role of global savior and early indicators from the region show strong proof that legions of hopeful traders could be onto a winner.

FORBES: Forex Volatility Plays Fickle