It is young people from northern Italy who are most influenced by the election campaign. Nearly one half of them in 2006. Elderly people too, who have chosen whom to vote for during the election campaign, have risen from 27.4 per cent in 2001 to 31 per cent in 2006. The number of "hesitant" adults instead has decreased during the last rounds from 32.4 per cent to 28.4 per cent. While "the current election competition is not consistent with the previous ones", say De Rita and Roma, however, the Censis survey helps locate "underlying trends and potential variability" in the Italians’ choices. The "deep reasons" that steer the voting choices are "shared values and ideals" for 49.5 per cent. "Health" is top of the list in the Italians’ interests: for 37.6 per cent in 2006. It is followed by "social security and pensions": for 31.6 per cent in 2006, while ten years earlier they were important for 19 per cent. In an "uncertain and scared society, in search of certainties, social protection and stability", "welfare and justice" are also very important. It seems however that the Italians do not include "tax" as one of their "most urgent worries" as it was considered a priority by just 14.9 per cent in 2006, as neither is school, with 18 per cent in the same year. (continued)
