An Italian town which is overtly anti-immigrant has been cited by Silvio Berlusconi's right-wing coalition as an example to follow if it wins elections next month.

The authorities in Sesto San Giovanni, on the outskirts of Milan, have expelled nearly 200 migrants and blocked plans to build a mosque, The Times (paywall) reported.

So strident are its anti-immigrant views that plans are also afoot to screen every migrant entering its streets through CCTV equipped with facial-recognition technology perfected in Israel.

Anis Amri, the man who committed the 2016 Berlin Christmas market attack, was shot dead in Sesto San Giovanni

Silvio Berlusconi's right-wing coalition has made no secret of its stridently anti-immigration policies

Mr Berlusconi and his supporters are seeking to exploit several widely held grievances against immigrants

'This town is the absolute example for other Italian cities to follow. It's already carrying out our programme,' said Guido Della Frera, who is standing locally for election with Mr Berlusconi's Forza Italia party.

Sesto San Giovanni has expelled 194 migrants who it is claimed were sleeping in the streets and disturbing people, which is a record for an Italian town, Mayor Roberto di Stefano said.

'What is happening now is the model for what happens next in Italy,' he said in his office overlooking the town's neat streets. 'We have shown it's possible.'

Sesto, a former industrial town that is now effectively part of Milan, was once nicknamed the Stalingrad of Italy for its strong left-wing politics, but as the factories closed and migrants moved in, the mood began to change and there was a move towards more right wing politics.

Former Prime Minister Berlusconi has spent the campaign in competition with his coalition partner, Matteo Salvini of the anti-migrant Northern League, to see who is the most assertive when it comes to throwing out the largest number of illegal migrants from Italy.

The tactic appears to have borne dividends because the coalition now has a lead in the polls, reflecting a rise in intolerance in Italy since the arrival of 600,000 migrants over the past four years.

The coalition has exploited four widely held grievances against immigrants - which critics say are mostly erroneous or are misconceptions: there are too many of them, they cost too much money, they laze about all day and they bring crime.

A forensic police officer looks at graffiti reading in Italian 'Death to the cops' on a vandalized monument honouring police killed by Red Brigades terrorists, in Rome - there have been several acts of vandalism and violence committed during Italy's tense election campaign

Mr Berlusconi is cheered by followers prior to a meeting with European People's Party President Manfred Weber in Rome on Wednesday

Critics say that in fact illegal immigrants comprise less than one percent of the population, legal migrants bring in between 2.1 and 2.8 billion euros more than they cost while many illegal migrants cannot work until their paperwork is completed. Government figures show that in 2017 murders dropped by nearly 12 percent, robberies by 11 percent and burglaries by nine percent.

Nevertheless Italy's migration surge has contributed towards the growing unpopularity of its centre-left government, which will almost certainly be removed from office on March 4.

Interior Minister Marco Minniti meanwhile warned on Wednesday that Italian organized crime syndicates could try to influence the results of the March 4 vote which will determine the formation Italy's next government.

'The risk, is, unfortunately, concrete, that the Mafia can condition the free vote in our country,' Minniti said at a presentation of Parliament's annual report on organized crime. 'We understand that's a threat to the most important thing in democracy'.

Already in the campaign acts of violence and intimidation have taken place. A bullet was sent in the mail to a parliamentary candidate and two people were knifed while putting up campaign posters.



