The centre-right Social Democrats, the main opposition party, and the smaller right-wing Popular Party, have announced that they will get together, as the Democratic Alternative, to fight the election.

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"It's a fantastic party -- a great occasion for locals, expats and tourists to get together, and I'm definitely coming again, " says Robyn Matravers, a visitor from Toronto.

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This has led to speculation that, should Mr Berlusconi fall, FLI might get together in parliament with centrist groups and the centre-left Democratic Party, a combination that would enjoy a slim majority, to support a technocratic administration.

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