October16,2005:forthefirsttimeeverinItaly,wereheldprimaryelectionstochooseBerlusconi'santagonistintheupcomingpoliticalelectionsin2006.Theextraordinarypopularparticipation,farbeyondallexpectations,urgedLiteratureNobelPrizeDarioFotoinvokeprimaryelectionsforMayorelectionsinhiscity,Milan,andtoproposehimselfasacandidate.Hiscandidacyhasaterrificsymbolicvalue.Milanitselfisasymbol:theeconomicengineofthecountry,the"moralcapital"ofItaly-asitdefinesitself.MilanhasasymbolicvalueforItalianpoliticsaswell:ithaswitnessedSilvioBerlusconi'sentrepreneurialandpoliticalriseandembodieshischaracteristics.Butit'snotaneasywayforDarioFo.DespitethewarmacceptancebytheMilanesepeople,mostoftheleft-wingpartiesdecidenottosupporthimandtocandidatetheformerprefectofthecity.