Italy's League not conceding defeat in Emilia Romagna, awaiting count -Salvini

Italy's League leader Matteo Salvini said on Sunday he was not ready to concede defeat in a regional election and would wait for the full results after initial forecasts suggested he would lose the closely watched vote.

Private broadcaster Mediaset forecast that the candidate for the center-left Democratic Party (PD) had won 50.1% against 43.6% for the League candidate. State television RAI put the PD incumbent some three points ahead of his opponent.

Speaking to reporters as the count continued, Salvini said he was proud of having challenged the left in a region it has run since World War Two. "After 70 years, there was a contest. Previously, the match was always over before it started."