# 1996 Italian general election

The 1996 Italian general election was held on 21 April 1996 to elect members of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Republic. Romano Prodi, leader of the centre-left The Olive Tree, won the election, narrowly defeating Silvio Berlusconi, who led the centre-right Pole for Freedoms.
For the election, the Northern League of Umberto Bossi ran alone after having left the Berlusconi I Cabinet in 1994, causing a crisis which drove President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro to appoint a technocratic cabinet led by Lamberto Dini, which in turn lost its parliamentary support in 1995, forcing Scalfaro to dissolve the Italian Parliament. The Communist Refoundation Party, led by Fausto Bertinotti, made a pre-electoral alliance with The Olive Tree, presenting its own candidates, supported by Prodi's coalition, mainly in some safe leftist constituencies, in exchange for supporting Olive Tree candidates on the other ones, and ensuring external support for a Prodi government.

## Electoral system

The intricate electoral system of Italy, nicknamed as Mattarellum after Sergio Mattarella, who was the official proponent, provided a 75% of the seats on the Chamber of Deputies (the lower house) as elected by a plurality voting system, whereas the remaining 25% was assigned by proportional representation with a minimum threshold of 4%. If possible, the method associate on the Senate was even more complicated: 75% of seats by uninominal method, and 25% by a special proportional method that actually assigned the remaining seats to minority parties.

## General election
### Background

In December 1994, following the communication of a new investigation from Milan magistrates that was leaked to the press, Umberto Bossi, leader of the Northern League, left the coalition claiming that the electoral pact had not been respected, forcing Berlusconi to resign from office and shifting the majority's weight to the centre-left side. The Northern League also resented the fact that many of its MPs had switched to Forza Italia, allegedly lured by promises of more prestigious portfolios.
Berlusconi remained as caretaker prime minister for a little over a month until his replacement by a technocratic government headed by Lamberto Dini. Dini had been a key minister in the Berlusconi cabinet, and Berlusconi said the only way he would support a technocratic government would be if Dini headed it. In the end, Dini was only supported by most opposition parties and not by Forza Italia and Northern League.
In December 1995, Dini resigned as Prime Minister and President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro decided to begin consultations to form a government, supported by all the parties in the Italian Parliament to make constitutional reforms. In a TV debate on 19 January 1996, both Silvio Berlusconi and Democratic Party of the Left leader Massimo D'Alema supported constitutional reforms; however, there were many problems on this theme in both coalition, as Gianfranco Fini and Romano Prodi wanted a snap election, not sure that the reforms would be helpful for the country. On 16 February 1996, a snap election was called.

### Campaign

On 19 February 1996, the outgoing Prime Minister Lamberto Dini announced that he would run in the election with a new party allied with The Olive Tree rather than Berlusconi's Pole of Freedoms. Shortly after, Berlusconi claimed that Dini "copied our electoral programme".
Another important declaration was that of Umberto Bossi, the leader of the regionalist Northern League, which was very important in 1994 to help Berlusconi winning the election. Bossi said that his party would not support Berlusconi anymore and run alone in the election. At the same time, Prodi's coalition made a pre-electoral agreement with Communist Refoundation Party in which Fausto Bertinotti's party undertook to support Prodi's government after the election in case of no parliamentary majority.
On 25 March 1996, Berlusconi organised a manifestation in Milan against taxes (The Tax Day) attended by many Milanese artisans; on the same day in Turin, Prodi was heavily contested during his electoral speech and accused of not wanting to lower taxes.

## Main coalitions and parties

| Coalition | Party | Party | Main ideology | Party leader | Coalition leader |
| The Olive Tree | | Democratic Party of the Left (PDS) | Democratic socialism | Massimo D'Alema | Romano Prodi |
| | Populars for Prodi (PPI–UD–PRI–SVP) | Christian democracy | Franco Marini | | Romano Prodi |
| | Italian Renewal (RI) | Liberalism | Lamberto Dini | | Romano Prodi |
| | Federation of the Greens (FdV) | Green politics | Franco Corleone | | Romano Prodi |
| | Labour Federation (FL) | Social democracy | Valdo Spini | | Romano Prodi |
| | Italian Socialists (SI) | Social democracy | Enrico Boselli | | Romano Prodi |
| | The Network (LR) | Anti-corruption politics | Leoluca Orlando | | Romano Prodi |
| | Segni Pact (PS) | Christian liberalism | Mario Segni | | Romano Prodi |
| Pole for Freedoms | | Forza Italia (FI) | Liberal conservatism | Silvio Berlusconi | Silvio Berlusconi |
| Pole for Freedoms | | National Alliance (AN) | National conservatism | Gianfranco Fini | Silvio Berlusconi |
| Pole for Freedoms | | Christian Democratic Centre (CCD) | Christian democracy | Pier Ferdinando Casini | Silvio Berlusconi |
| Pole for Freedoms | | United Christian Democrats (CDU) | Christian democracy | Rocco Buttiglione | Silvio Berlusconi |
| Northern League (LN) | Northern League (LN) | Northern League (LN) | Regionalism | Umberto Bossi | Umberto Bossi |
| Communist Refoundation Party (PRC) | Communist Refoundation Party (PRC) | Communist Refoundation Party (PRC) | Communism | Fausto Bertinotti | Fausto Bertinotti |
| Pannella–Sgarbi List (LPS) | Pannella–Sgarbi List (LPS) | Pannella–Sgarbi List (LPS) | Liberalism | Marco Pannella | Marco Pannella |
| Tricolour Flame (FT) | Tricolour Flame (FT) | Tricolour Flame (FT) | Neo-fascism | Pino Rauti | Pino Rauti |

## Results
### Chamber of Deputies
#### Overall results

← Summary of the 21 April 1996 Chamber of Deputies election results → :
| Results by party Results by coalition ||||||||||||
| Coalition | Coalition | Party | Party | Proportional | Proportional | Proportional | First-past-the-post | First-past-the-post | First-past-the-post | Total seats | +/– |
| Coalition | Coalition | Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats | Votes | % | Seats | Total seats | +/– |
| | The Olive Tree | | Democratic Party of the Left (PDS) | 7,894,118 | 21.06 | 26 | 15,747,455 | 42.01 | 146 | 172 | +48 |
| | The Olive Tree | | Populars for Prodi (PPI–UD–PRI–SVP) | 2,554,072 | 6.81 | 4 | 15,747,455 | 42.01 | 65 | 69 | +18 |
| | The Olive Tree | | Italian Renewal (RI) | 1,627,380 | 4.34 | 8 | 15,747,455 | 42.01 | 18 | 26 | New |
| | The Olive Tree | | Federation of the Greens (FdV) | 938,665 | 2.50 | 0 | 15,747,455 | 42.01 | 14 | 14 | +3 |
| | The Olive Tree | | The Network (LR) | — | — | 0 | 15,747,455 | 42.01 | 3 | 3 | −5 |
| | The Olive Tree | | Ladin Autonomist Union (UAL) | — | — | 0 | 15,747,455 | 42.01 | 1 | 1 | +1 |
| | The Olive Tree | Total seats | Total seats | Total seats | Total seats | 38 | | | 247 | 285 | – |
| | Pole for Freedoms | | Forza Italia (FI) | 7,712,149 | 20.57 | 37 | 15,027,030 | 40.08 | 86 | 123 | −9 |
| | Pole for Freedoms | | National Alliance (AN) | 5,870,491 | 15.66 | 28 | 15,027,030 | 40.08 | 65 | 93 | −17 |
| | Pole for Freedoms | | CCD – CDU | 2,189,563 | 5.84 | 12 | 15,027,030 | 40.08 | 28 | 30 | +3 |
| | Pole for Freedoms | Total seats | Total seats | Total seats | Total seats | 77 | | | 169 | 246 | – |
| | Northern League (LN) | 3,776,354 | 10.07 | 20 | 4,038,239 | 10.77 | 39 | 59 | −59 |
| | Communist Refoundation Party (PRC) | Communist Refoundation Party (PRC) | Communist Refoundation Party (PRC) | 3,213,748 | 8.57 | 20 | 982,505 | 2.62 | 15 | 35 | −3 |
| | South Tyrolean People's Party (SVP) | South Tyrolean People's Party (SVP) | South Tyrolean People's Party (SVP) | — | — | 0 | 156,708 | 0.42 | 3 | 3 | ±0 |
| | Southern Action League (LAM) | Southern Action League (LAM) | Southern Action League (LAM) | 72,062 | 0.19 | 0 | 82,373 | 0.22 | 1 | 1 | ±0 |
| | Aosta Valley (VdA) | Aosta Valley (VdA) | Aosta Valley (VdA) | — | — | 0 | 37,431 | 0.10 | 1 | 1 | ±0 |
| | Others | Others | Others | 1,635,796 | 4.39 | 0 | 1,223,368 | 3.78 | 0 | 0 | ±0 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | 37,484,398 | 100.00 | 155 | 37,295,109 | 100.00 | 475 | 630 | — |

#### Proportional and FPTP results

First-past-the-post :
| Parties and coalitions | Parties and coalitions | Vote | % | Seats |
| | Pole for Freedoms (PpL) | 15,027,030 | 40.09 | 169 |
| | The Olive Tree (Ulivo) | 14,447,548 | 38.54 | 228 |
| | Northern League (LN) | 4,038,239 | 10.77 | 39 |
| | The Olive Tree – Venetian Autonomy League (Ulivo–LAV) | 997,534 | 2.66 | 14 |
| | Progressives | 982,505 | 2.62 | 15 |
| | Tricolour Flame (FT) | 624,558 | 1.67 | 0 |
| | The Olive Tree – Sardinian Action Party (Ulivo–PSd'Az) | 269,047 | 0.72 | 4 |
| | South Tyrolean People's Party (SVP) | 156,708 | 0.42 | 3 |
| | Southern Action League (LAM) | 82,373 | 0.22 | 1 |
| | Pannella-Sgarbi List (LPS) | 69,406 | 0.19 | 0 |
| | Clean Hands (MP) | 68,443 | 0.18 | 0 |
| | Socialist Party (PS) | 44,786 | 0.12 | 0 |
| | Sardigna Natzione (SN) | 42,246 | 0.11 | 0 |
| | Aosta Valley (VdA) | 37,431 | 0.10 | 1 |
| | Democracy and Freedom (DL) | 33,326 | 0.09 | 1 |
| | Renovation | 28,988 | 0.08 | 0 |
| | Humanist Party (PU) | 27,694 | 0.07 | 0 |
| | Italian Renaissance Movement (MRI) | 24,074 | 0.06 | 0 |
| | Union for South Tyrol (UfS) | 23,032 | 0.06 | 0 |
| | We Sicilians – Sicilian National Front (NS–FNS) | 20,102 | 0.05 | 0 |
| | Pact for the Agro | 18,836 | 0.05 | 0 |
| | Communist Refoundation Party (PRC) | 17,996 | 0.05 | 0 |
| | Greens Greens | 12,905 | 0.03 | 0 |
| | Environmentalists | 12,299 | 0.03 | 0 |
| | Liberal Federalists (FL) | 11,563 | 0.03 | 0 |
| | Aosta Valley for the Olive Tree | 11,526 | 0.03 | 0 |
| | Social Democracy (DS) | 9,760 | 0.03 | 0 |
| | North-East Union (UNE) | 9,669 | 0.03 | 0 |
| | Independent Group Freedom (GIL) | 8,805 | 0.02 | 0 |
| | Natural Law Party (PLN) | 7,708 | 0.02 | 0 |
| | Moderates | 6,208 | 0.02 | 0 |
| | New Energies | 5,627 | 0.02 | 0 |
| | New Democracy (ND) | 5,333 | 0.01 | 0 |
| | Development and Legality | 5,275 | 0.01 | 0 |
| | For Marche | 4,317 | 0.01 | 0 |
| | Resurgence of the South | 4,291 | 0.01 | 0 |
| | Free North Autonomy | 4,013 | 0.01 | 0 |
| | New Ways | 3,904 | 0.01 | 0 |
| | State of Friuli | 3,345 | 0.01 | 0 |
| | Liberist Solidary Alliance | 3,219 | 0.01 | 0 |
| | Ingenuity and Audacity | 2,805 | 0.01 | 0 |
| | Venetian Solidarity | 2,655 | 0.01 | 0 |
| | South Pole Movement | 2,310 | 0.01 | 0 |
| | Federalist Italian League (LIF) | 2,268 | 0.01 | 0 |
| | Trieste Women's Pact | 2,121 | 0.01 | 0 |
| | Others | 71,281 | 0.19 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 37,295,109 | 100.00 | 475 |
| Source: Ministry of the Interior |||||
Proportional :
| Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats |
| | Democratic Party of the Left (PDS) | 7,894,118 | 21.06 | 26 |
| | Forza Italia (FI) | 7,712,149 | 20.57 | 37 |
| | National Alliance (AN) | 5,870,491 | 15.66 | 28 |
| | Northern League (LN) | 3,776,354 | 10.07 | 20 |
| | Communist Refoundation Party (PRC) | 3,213,748 | 8.57 | 20 |
| | Populars for Prodi (PPI–UD–PRI–SVP) | 2,554,072 | 6.81 | 4 |
| | CCD – CDU | 2,189,563 | 5.84 | 12 |
| | Italian Renewal (RI) | 1,627,380 | 4.34 | 8 |
| | Federation of the Greens (FdV) | 938,665 | 2.50 | 0 |
| | Pannella-Sgarbi List (LPS) | 702,988 | 1.88 | 0 |
| | Tricolour Flame (FT) | 339,351 | 0.91 | 0 |
| | Socialist Party (PS) | 149,441 | 0.40 | 0 |
| | Southern Action League (LAM) | 72,062 | 0.19 | 0 |
| | North-East Union (UNE) | 63,934 | 0.17 | 0 |
| | Union for South Tyrol (UfS) | 55,548 | 0.15 | 0 |
| | Clean Hands (MP) | 44,935 | 0.12 | 0 |
| | We Sicilians – Sicilian National Front (NS–FNS) | 41,001 | 0.11 | 0 |
| | Sardinian Action Party (PSd'Az) | 38,002 | 0.10 | 0 |
| | Greens Greens | 25,788 | 0.07 | 0 |
| | Sardigna Natzione (SN) | 23,355 | 0.06 | 0 |
| | Independent Group Freedom | 17,451 | 0.05 | 0 |
| | Environmentalists | 15,560 | 0.04 | 0 |
| | Humanist Party (PU) | 14,601 | 0.04 | 0 |
| | Renovation | 13,677 | 0.04 | 0 |
| | Pact for the Agro | 12,297 | 0.03 | 0 |
| | Social Democracy | 9,319 | 0.02 | 0 |
| | Italian Renaissance Movement (MRI) | 8,886 | 0.02 | 0 |
| | Tuscan Autonomist Movement (MAT) | 8,627 | 0.02 | 0 |
| | Natural Law Party (PLN) | 8,298 | 0.02 | 0 |
| | New Democracy | 8,185 | 0.02 | 0 |
| | Liberal Federalists (FL) | 6,475 | 0.02 | 0 |
| | For Marche | 5,545 | 0.01 | 0 |
| | New Energies | 5,393 | 0.01 | 0 |
| | Development and Legality | 5,347 | 0.01 | 0 |
| | Free North Autonomy | 4,965 | 0.01 | 0 |
| | Federalist Party (PF) | 3,743 | 0.01 | 0 |
| | Resurgence of the South | 3,084 | 0.01 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 100.00 | 37,484,398 | 155 |
| Invalid/blank/unassigned votes | Invalid/blank/unassigned votes | – | 2,917,376 | – |
| Total | Total | – | 40,401,774 | – |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 82.88% | 48,744,846 | – |
| Source: Ministry of the Interior |||||
Popular vote (Proportional)
PDS
21.06%
FI
20.57%
AN
15.66%
LN
10.07%
PRC
8.57%
Popolari
6.81%
CCD-CDU
5.84%
RI
4.34%
FdV
2.50%
LPS
1.88%
Others
2.68% :
Popular vote (First-past-the-post)
Ulivo
41.92%
PpL
40.09%
LN
10.77%
PRC
2.62%
FT
1.67%
Others
3.65% :

### Senate of the Republic

← Summary of the 21 April 1996 Senate of the Republic election results → :
| Results by party Results by coalition ||||||||||
| Coalition | Coalition | Party | Party | First-past-the-post | First-past-the-post | First-past-the-post | Proportional Seats | Total seats | +/– |
| Coalition | Coalition | Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats | Proportional Seats | Total seats | +/– |
| | The Olive Tree | | Democratic Party of the Left (PDS) | 13,444,978 | 41.21 | 134 | 23 | 102 | +26 |
| | | Italian People's Party (PPI) | 27 | 13,444,978 | 41.21 | 134 | 23 | −4 |
| | | Federation of the Greens (FdV) | 14 | 13,444,978 | 41.21 | 134 | 23 | +7 |
| | | Italian Renewal (RI) | 11 | 13,444,978 | 41.21 | 134 | 23 | New |
| | | The Network (LR) | 1 | 13,444,978 | 41.21 | 134 | 23 | −5 |
| | | Venetian Autonomy League (LAV) | 1 | 13,444,978 | 41.21 | 134 | 23 | +1 |
| | | Sardinian Action Party (PSd'Az) | 1 | 13,444,978 | 41.21 | 134 | 23 | +1 |
| | Total seats | Total seats | Total seats | Total seats | Total seats | Total seats | 157 | – |
| | Pole for Freedoms | | Forza Italia (FI) | 12,185,020 | 37.35 | 67 | 49 | 48 | +13 |
| | Pole for Freedoms | | National Alliance (AN) | 12,185,020 | 37.35 | 67 | 49 | 43 | −4 |
| | Pole for Freedoms | | Christian Democratic Centre (CCD) | 12,185,020 | 37.35 | 67 | 49 | 15 | +3 |
| | Pole for Freedoms | | United Christian Democrats (CDU) | 12,185,020 | 37.35 | 67 | 49 | 10 | New |
| | Pole for Freedoms | Total seats | Total seats | Total seats | Total seats | Total seats | Total seats | 116 | – |
| | Northern League (LN) | Northern League (LN) | Northern League (LN) | 3,394,733 | 10.41 | 18 | 9 | 27 | −33 |
| | Progressives | Progressives | Progressives | 934,974 | 2.87 | 10 | 0 | 10 | −8 |
| | Tricolour Flame (FT) | Tricolour Flame (FT) | Tricolour Flame (FT) | 747,487 | 2.29 | 0 | 1 | 1 | New |
| | Pannella-Sgarbi List (LPS) | Pannella-Sgarbi List (LPS) | Pannella-Sgarbi List (LPS) | 509,826 | 1.56 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ±0 |
| | Socialist Party (PS) | Socialist Party (PS) | Socialist Party (PS) | 286,426 | 0.88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | The Fir – South Tyrolean People's Party – PATT | The Fir – South Tyrolean People's Party – PATT | The Fir – South Tyrolean People's Party – PATT | 178,425 | 0.55 | 2 | 0 | 2 | −1 |
| | Clean Hands | Clean Hands | Clean Hands | 109,113 | 0.33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | League for Autonomy – Lombard Alliance | League for Autonomy – Lombard Alliance | League for Autonomy – Lombard Alliance | 106,313 | 0.33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | North-East Union (UNE) | North-East Union (UNE) | North-East Union (UNE) | 72,541 | 0.22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | We Sicilians – Sicilian National Front (NS–FNS) | We Sicilians – Sicilian National Front (NS–FNS) | We Sicilians – Sicilian National Front (NS–FNS) | 71,841 | 0.22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | Southern Action League (LAM) | Southern Action League (LAM) | Southern Action League (LAM) | 66,750 | 0.20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ±0 |
| | Greens Greens | Greens Greens | Greens Greens | 61,434 | 0.19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ±0 |
| | Pensioners' Party (PP) | Pensioners' Party (PP) | Pensioners' Party (PP) | 60,640 | 0.19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ±0 |
| | Social Democracy | Social Democracy | Social Democracy | 60,016 | 0.18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | Federation of Italian Civic Lists | Federation of Italian Civic Lists | Federation of Italian Civic Lists | 55,793 | 0.17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | Sardigna Natzione (SN) | Sardigna Natzione (SN) | Sardigna Natzione (SN) | 44,713 | 0.14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | Aosta Valley (VdA) | Aosta Valley (VdA) | Aosta Valley (VdA) | 27,493 | 0.08 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ±0 |
| | Piedmont Nation of Europe | Piedmont Nation of Europe | Piedmont Nation of Europe | 26,951 | 0.08 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ±0 |
| | Environmentalists | Environmentalists | Environmentalists | 26,756 | 0.08 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | Independent Group Freedom (GIL) | Independent Group Freedom (GIL) | Independent Group Freedom (GIL) | 23,301 | 0.07 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | Union for South Tyrol (UfS) | Union for South Tyrol (UfS) | Union for South Tyrol (UfS) | 19,330 | 0.06 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | Tuscan Autonomist Movement (MAT) | Tuscan Autonomist Movement (MAT) | Tuscan Autonomist Movement (MAT) | 18,691 | 0.06 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ±0 |
| | Pact for the Agro | Pact for the Agro | Pact for the Agro | 17,980 | 0.06 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | Renovation | Renovation | Renovation | 16,216 | 0.05 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | Right of the People | Right of the People | Right of the People | 6,710 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | Natural Law Party (PLN) | Natural Law Party (PLN) | Natural Law Party (PLN) | 10,371 | 0.03 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | Democrats for Progress | Democrats for Progress | Democrats for Progress | 5,688 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | Communist Refoundation Party (PRC) | Communist Refoundation Party (PRC) | Communist Refoundation Party (PRC) | 5,681 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| | Popular Movement of Moralization (MPM) | Popular Movement of Moralization (MPM) | Popular Movement of Moralization (MPM) | 5,297 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | Azure Alps | Azure Alps | Azure Alps | 5,144 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | Democratic Alternative for the Roman Castles | Democratic Alternative for the Roman Castles | Democratic Alternative for the Roman Castles | 4,524 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | Progressive People's Party (PPP) | Progressive People's Party (PPP) | Progressive People's Party (PPP) | 4,450 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ±0 |
| | For a Normal Country | For a Normal Country | For a Normal Country | 3,976 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | European Dolomite Region | European Dolomite Region | European Dolomite Region | 2,898 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | Free North Autonomy | Free North Autonomy | Free North Autonomy | 2,411 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| | Hit the Center | Hit the Center | Hit the Center | 2,178 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | New |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | 32,624,584 | 100.00 | 232 | 83 | 315 | — |
| Source: Ministry of the Interior ||||||||||
Popular vote
Ulivo
41.21%
PpL
37.35%
LN
10.41%
Prog.
2.87%
FT
2.29%
LPS
1.56%
Others
5.63% :

### Leaders' races

1996 Italian general election (C): Bologna – Mazzini :
| Candidate | Candidate | Coalition | Party | Votes | % |
| | Romano Prodi | The Olive Tree | Ind | 55,830 | 60.82 |
| | Filippo Berselli | Pole | AN | 35,972 | 39.18 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | 91,802 | 100.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 95,948 | 92.26 |
| | The Olive Tree hold | The Olive Tree hold | The Olive Tree hold | The Olive Tree hold | The Olive Tree hold |
| Source: Ministry of the Interior ||||||
1996 Italian general election (C): Milan 1 :
| Candidate | Candidate | Coalition | Party | Votes | % |
| | Silvio Berlusconi | Pole | FI | 46,098 | 51.50 |
| | Michele Salvati | The Olive Tree | PDS | 32,464 | 36.27 |
| | Umberto Bossi | None | LN | 10,179 | 11.37 |
| | Others | Others | | 766 | 0.86 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | 89,507 | 100.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 92,969 | 82.64 |
| | Pole hold | Pole hold | Pole hold | Pole hold | Pole hold |
| Source: Ministry of the Interior ||||||