Veteran centre-right leader Silvio Berlusconi has won his third general election in Italy.

The 71-year-old media tycoon won control of both the senate and lower house of parliament.

Berlusconi's People of Freedom (PDL) party secured 46.8 per cent of the vote in the election of the lower house, compared with 38 per cent for rival Walter Veltroni's centre-left coalition.

For the election of the senate, Mr Berlusconi's PDL won 47.3 per cent of the vote against nearly 40 per cent for Mr Veltroni.

"I'm moved, I feel a great responsibility," said Mr Berlusconi, who returns to power just two years after he lost the last poll.

But Mr Berlusconi's government faces the tough task of trying to revive Italy's declining economy, with zero growth predicted for 2008.

"We have difficult months ahead that will require great strength," he said.

Mr Veltroni admitted defeat soon after the exit polls were published.

"The election result is clear even if we wait for the final data,” Veltroni said: "It says that the right will govern this country."

The new Berlusconi government is the 62nd cabinet since World War II.

The Italian elections were held three years ahead of schedule after the dramatic collapse of Romano Prodi's government.

PROJECTED RESULTS:

CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES (630 SEATS):
Centre-right bloc 340 seats;
Centre-left bloc 239 seats

SENATE (315 SEATS):
Centre-right bloc 168 seats;
Centre-left bloc 130 seats

Source: Interior Ministry

The article Berlusconi wins Italian elections originally appeared on 999 Today