APCOM

The final decision may rest in the hands of the African countries that will cast their vote on the 31st of March in Paris: Expo 2015 bid appears more than ever a tight race. Looking at single votes Milan has on its side 81 preferences, a fairly tight majority considering 50 per cent equals 71, out of the 140 countries that will participate in the vote.

So lets take a look at the map of preferences: it seems that Milan is ahead in Central and South America (Brazil, Venezuela, Honduras, Nicaragua, Argentina), in parts of Europe (France, Portugal, Great Britain and Spain). Germany, Austria, Greece and Poland favor the Turkish candidate, Smirne, which has on its side, despite difficult relations, nearby countries such as Greece, Cyprus and Israel, plus the Asian region, going from China to the Gulf countries to the ex Soviet republics and Australia.

The next few weeks will be very critical and the city of Milan will have a difficult time considering the downsizing plans of Malpensa, which are due to take off on March 30th , a day before the finale vote.