The last regional elections of the year in Italy ratified the political balance between the two blocs: the left maintains its presence in the south, while the right perpetuates its dominance in the north. According to the first exit polls of the elections which took place between Sunday and Monday, the left-wing coalition will retain the regions of Campania and Puglia, territories where the centre-left is traditionally strong, while the right will continue to govern in northern Veneto, one of its strongest fiefdoms.
Almost 13 million Italians were called to vote in those three regions and the elections were considered a new battle between the right of Giorgia Meloni, who governs the country, and the opposition, which usually participates in regional elections in coalition, unlike national ones, where in recent times it has presented itself separately. These votes had particular significance as they were the last major events at the polls before the general election in early 2027, which is why they have become a representative thermometer of the national political climate. But there were no surprises and the predictions came true: those territories will continue to be in the hands of the same parties, without altering the current balance of power.
Meloni’s far-right Fratelli d’Italia, Matteo Salvini’s League and Forza Italia, led by Antonio Tajani, form the conservative bloc, which usually also participates in the coalition in national elections and currently holds power. While the Democratic Party and the 5 Star Movement presented themselves together with the support of other small groups.
The southern region of Campania, with Naples as its capital, has been governed continuously by the left for the last ten years. According to polls by the public television Rai, the progressive candidate Roberto Fico, of the 5 Star Movement and former president of the Chamber of Deputies, will prevail, with a percentage of between 56% and 60% of the votes.
Fico would thus succeed the current president of Campania, Vincenzo de Luca, a veteran of the Democratic Party who has an openly conflictual relationship with Prime Minister Meloni, with numerous clashes and clashes. De Luca, to his great regret, was unable to run because he had exceeded the limit of two consecutive terms. The election of Fico as a candidate took place after a long negotiation between the national leaderships of the parties. Fico’s candidacy may serve to highlight the effort that the two main opposition parties are making to build a solid progressive alliance that can project itself nationally, according to analysts. In fact, several national political personalities participated in the closing event of the Campania campaign, such as Elly Schlein, general secretary of the Democratic Party and Giuseppe Conte, leader of the 5 Star Movement. Their presence was perceived as a dress rehearsal for the next general elections and for the entry into 2026, which will be the pre-election year.
In Puglia the exit polls also give victory to the left-wing candidate and former mayor of Bari, Antonio Decaro, with a large advantage that could reach 68% of the votes, compared to the entrepreneur Luigi Lobuono, supported by the right and who will obtain around 30% of the votes.
The north of Veneto will continue to be in the hands of the right, with the victory of its candidate, Alberto Stefani, who would obtain between 59% and 63% of the votes. He would thus succeed the outgoing president Luca Zaia, one of the most influential barons of Salvini’s party, at the helm of the regional government.
These were the latest in a series of elections in seven major regions of Italy that took place this autumn and are the prelude to the fourth and penultimate year of Meloni’s mandate. The right-wing coalition governs in 13 regions, while the left maintains control in six.
Participation in these elections was low, despite polling stations having been open for two days and the average across the three regions being slightly lower at 44% of voters, compared to the 57% recorded in previous regional elections.
