Centre Right Secures Victory in Calabria, Strengthening Meloni’s Coalition
Rome: Premier Giorgia Meloni’s centre-right coalition has successfully retained control of Calabria, marking a significant boost for the premier following last week’s triumph in Marche. Governor Roberto Occhiuto, representing the centre-right, garnered just under 60% of the vote in the regional elections conducted on Sunday and Monday.
According to Ansa News Agency, the centre-left’s candidate, Pasquale Tridico, who is a Member of the European Parliament from Giuseppe Conte’s left-wing 5-Star Movement (M5S) and a former chief of the pensions and social security agency INPS, secured just over 40% of the votes, based on projections. Occhiuto, affiliated with Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antono Tajani’s centre-right post-Berlusconi Forza Italia (FI) party, had previously announced his resignation in August amidst an investigation into alleged corruption in southern region projects. However, he maintained his innocence and opted to pursue re-election.
This electoral outcome further strengthens Meloni’s position after Francesco Acquaroli, a centre-right incumbent and significant figure in her right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, clinched victory in the recent regional election in Marche. The Calabria and Marche elections are part of seven regional electoral contests currently gauging the political climate in Italy, with more scheduled for the coming weeks and months.
In Val d’Aosta, local autonomist and progressive parties retained power in elections held last Sunday and Monday. Future elections are slated for Tuscany next weekend, and Veneto, Campania, and Puglia on November 24-25. The centre-left is reportedly ahead in opinion polls in Tuscany, a traditional stronghold, as well as in Campania and Puglia, while Veneto remains a stronghold of the right-wing League party led by Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini.
Meloni expressed that the results in Calabria reflect the electorate’s renewed confidence in the centre-right and its record of governance. “In Calabria, voters have also placed their trust in the center-right coalition, confirming Roberto Occhiuto as Governor of the Region,” Meloni commented on social media, emphasizing the significance of the result as a testament to the coalition’s effective governance.
Tajani, celebrating Occhiuto’s re-election, remarked, “Governor Occhiuto’s success, Forza Italia’s success. So for me it’s a great success. The centre-right confirms itself as a force with a large following.” He noted that external issues, such as the Gaza conflict and left-wing campaigns for Palestine, had seemingly no impact on the electorate’s decision.
Salvini also praised the outcome as a triumph for local governance over disruptive elements. “Great victory for the centre right in Calabria. On the one hand, those who protest, destroy cities, and attack law enforcement, and on the other, the citizens who care about the well-being of their local area,” said Salvini.
In a gesture of sportsmanship, the defeated centre-left candidate Tridico reached out to Occhiuto to extend his congratulations. “I called Occhiuto a little while ago to offer him my sincere best wishes for this victory, hoping he can govern this region as best he can,” Tridico said during a press briefing, acknowledging the challenging and brief campaign.