Italy under a new centre-right government would take a tougher line against Iran in the defence of Israel and raise the profile of human rights in dealing with China, according to Gianfranco Fini, leader of the opposition National Alliance.

Mr Fini also told the Financial Times that if his centre-right alliance with Silvio Berlusconi returned to power in elections in 10 days’ time – as opinion polls indicate – Italian policy would be to expel large numbers of gypsies and other European Union citizens.