PARIS, March 31: Italy’s fashion and financial capital Milan won the race on Monday to host the 2015 Universal Exposition, a welcome victory for a country that has been buffeted by a food scandal and political feuding.

Officials for the Paris-based International Bureau of Exhibitions (BIE) said Milan defeated the western Turkish city of Izmir by 86 votes to 65, dashing Turkish hopes of hosting the world’s biggest fair for the first time.

Milan triumphed despite ailing flag carrier Alitalia’s decision to slash flights at the northern city’s Malpensa airport under a survival plan and an international scare over mozzarella cheese potentially tainted with cancer-causing dioxin.

The decision in favour of Milan, home of Silvio Berlusconi, the billionaire head of Italy’s centre-right opposition, comes just two weeks ahead of a snap national election.

But members of the centre-left government rallied behind the bid, which they said was beyond party political controversies.

“It shows that when Italy pulls together and puts its best energy to work it can succeed,” Foreign Minister Massimo D’Alema said after the secret vote. “It’s an important victory for Italy because the Expo is important.”

Milan brought a heavyweight team to Paris to push its case, with Prime Minister Romano Prodi flanked by leading figures from the worlds of arts, sport and international politics.

Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore spoke up in favour of the project, saying Milan deserved support for striving to become one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Milan mayor Letizia Moratti said her city would use the event to promote the basic human right to a safe and balanced diet.

Milan organisers have promised $6.47bn in infrastructure and other investments for their fair.

They estimate the event will draw 30 million visitors to the city of 1.3 million people. But Moratti said Milan would not spend money to create a lasting landmark of the fair.—Reuters