Mussolini's granddaughter appeals exclusion from election

The granddaughter of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini has appealed a court ruling that bars her from running in a regional election next month after ending a hunger strike that let her drink three cappuccinos a day.

Alessandra Mussolini, who is a deputy in the European Parliament, was blocked from running in the ballot after her party was accused of submitting hundreds of fake voter signatures to officials.

Each party has to sign up at least 3,500 registered voters to run in the election in Lazio region.

Mussolini held a five-day hunger strike, which included three cappuccinos a day, to protest the lower court ruling against her right-wing Social Alternative party.

A regional appeal court upheld the ruling on Friday.

News reports on Saturday said Mussolini had filed an appeal to the country's top administration court.

She told reporters she expects that court's decision by Tuesday.