Center-left Bersani leader Pier Luigi Bersani , years , expected to win election . Cigar-smoking ex-communist has spent career in politics , served in three cabinets . Bersani said he 'd continue Berlusconi 's budget cuts , but that stimulus is needed too . `` Italy has a lot of protected industries and interests , and Bersani has a lot of ties to CGIL , Italy 's largest labor union , '' said Open University 's Geoff Andrews . After 61 of turbulent ex-premier Pier Luigi Bersani , Bersani is seen as pair of safe hands .
Center-left Bersani leader Pier Luigi Bersani , years , expected to win election . Cigar-smoking ex-communist has spent career in politics , served in three cabinets . Bersani said he 'd continue Berlusconi 's budget cuts , but that stimulus is needed too . After 61 of turbulent ex-premier Pier Luigi Bersani , Bersani is seen as pair of safe hands .