ROME, April 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Italian voters delivered a chilling message to the governing center-right coalition by rendering support to only two regions in this week's regional elections, local media reported Tuesday.

    In the 13 regions up for grabs, the center-right coalition headed by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi won just in two regions-- Lombardia and Veneto in the north, losing six it governed before the race held on Sunday and Monday.

    The center-left opposition won a total of 11 regions, includingthe important ones like Lazio. It seized 52.9 percent of the votes, eight percentage points more than that of the ruling center-right.     

    About 41 million people cast their ballots in the elections during which legislators and executive chiefs in the 13 regions, two states and 366 cities and towns were chosen. The turnout was 71.4 percent.

    Analysts attributed the center-right's crushing defeat to public dissatisfaction with its domestic and foreign policies.

    The Berlusconi government has failed to honor many of the promises it made when taking office in 2001, such as cutting taxes and maintaining economic growth. Its pension reform has met repeated strong protests.

    On foreign policy, Italy sided with the United States and Britain over the Iraq war which was launched without UN authorization, and has been at loggerheads with France, Germany and other traditional allies in Europe.

    As local polls are always a barometer of political sentiment ahead of general elections the next year, analysts say the ruling coalition is facing a severe challenge in the coming months. Enditem