If the 2023 local elections represented a test for Giorgia Meloni, it can be said that the Prime Minister and leader of the Brothers of Italy passed it successfully. The centre-right confirms itself as a coalition with the wind blowing because the verdict of the city councils and the votes of today, Monday, May 29th, is sensational: the centre-right wins practically everywhere, except in Vicenza. Schlein effect? The Democratic Party lost and lost heavily crushed by “the primacy of our good governance”, the prime minister will comment in a video message, a few hours after the polls closed.
In Ancona, Silvetti easily beats the centre-left candidate, Simonella. In the center right also Brindisi, in Tuscany Massa, Pisa and Siena. The Democratic Party and the left-wing ko lose what was one of the red strongholds. Defeat to the left also in Pietrasanta.
In Sicily, where the first round took place, a clear advantage for the governing coalition in Catania and Trapani, Syracuse disputed, while in Ragusa the left has less than 20% with the candidate from the Center, Cassi, in the lead.
The only exception is Vicenza: here Giacomo Possimai, from the Pd, wins, for which he is group leader in the regional council. But Possimai was critical of and distanced herself from Schlein and the Democratic Party’s new directions during her election campaign, even asking that she not be seen during the election campaign. Not surprisingly, he was among the few leftist (anti-Schlein) candidates to win.
Defeat in Tuscany: Francesco Persiani triumphs in Massa with almost 55% and reconfirms himself as mayor, Enzo Romolo Ricci, supported by the center-left, loses. In Pisa, Michele Conti was re-elected mayor. But the biggest victory is that of Ancona: Daniele Silvetti beats Ida Simonella and conquers the red stronghold.
Also in Sestri Levante, in Liguria, another center-left stronghold falls. In fact, the center right won with Francesco Solinas, who defeated Marcello Massucco in the polls with almost 60% of the preferences. There is also the sensational case of Campi Bisenzio, in Tuscany: Andrea Tagliaferri, from the Italian left, wins with 57% of the votes. And he imposes himself on Leonardo Fabbri, candidate of the Democratic Party. Elly Schlein also defeated by the radical left.
Source: IL Tempo
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
