ROME, ITALY (BNO NEWS) -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's center-right government on Monday suffered a significant blow after losing the key local elections in Milan and Naples, the ANSA news agency reported.

In contrast, the centre-left opposition hailed the results of the elections as there are few votes left to be counted. The Democratic Party, the country's largest opposition, announced a celebration on Monday night at the Pantheon in Rome, an ancient Roman monument.

The two cities, Milan and Naples, have been ruled by center-right governments for years. Milan has bee a conservative government for the last 20 years while Naples is considered a key stronghold in southern Italy.

According to preliminary reports, leftwing candidate Giuliano Pisapia won about 55 percent more votes than incumbent Milan mayor Letizia Moratti. In Naples, former prosecutor Luigi De Magistris had 65 percent of the votes against 45 percent won by Berlusconi's candidate Gianni Lettieri.

The Italian Premier campaigned heavily in both cities that were considered key for keeping Berlusconi's grip on power and for the cohesion of the ruling coalition (Berlusconi's People of Freedom (PdL) party and the Northern League).

In addition to the elections defeat, Berlusconi ahs been immersed in scandals over prostitution and fraud allegations. The ongoing trials and investigations have caused rumors over his possible future successors including Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti.

However, Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said the results of the local elections will not affect the government in any way. Berlusconi has said that the charges against him were a political agenda to take power from the ruling coalition.

Previously, the 74-year-old Premier announced that he will not seek reelection in 2013 after his current term runs out. He also proposed Justice Minister Angelino Alfano as his heir in the center-right PdL party.

The Premier is currently involved in three criminal cases against him, three fraud cases and one of prostitution. Despite the legal issues, Berlusconi vowed to stay as PM until the end of his term in office.

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