Recent local elections in Italy spanned Sunday and Monday across 595 municipalities, culminating in a clear showing for Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party. The party secured a substantial share of votes with notable support from the League in Northern cities and secured victories in several town halls across Lombardy. This region remains closely tied to Matteo Salvini’s political base, reinforcing the party’s regional strength.
In this electoral cycle, Meloni’s centripetal leadership translated into a demonstrated edge over the center-left Democratic Party (PD). The PD, currently led by Elly Schlein, saw gains in Brescia in the north where Laura Castelletti became the first woman to hold the mayoralty. Schlein’s post-election remarks framed the result as a moment to deliver tangible solutions to voters, while Meloni underscored the broader momentum for the center-right by acknowledging wins beyond the northern strongholds.
Meloni celebrated the national dimension of the results, noting that the center-right had secured important footholds and that the party’s appeal extended across multiple urban centers. The center-right achieved victories in Imperia, Latina, Sondrio, Teramo, and Treviso, with Meloni’s public reaction emphasizing continued strength for the coalition.
second round
Nevertheless, the final outcome awaits the second round in several key municipalities. The runoffs will determine the winners in important cities such as Ancona, Brindisi, Pisa, Massa, Siena, Terni, and Vicenza. The electoral law requires a candidate to surpass the 50 percent threshold to claim victory in the first round, a criterion that leaves several races undecided until the next tally.
Another notable takeaway from the elections is the persistently high abstention rate, a trend that has characterized recent Italian electoral cycles. While turnout fluctuates, this cycle saw voters largely refrain from participation in some areas. According to the Italian Interior Ministry, the turnout stood at 59 percent, a drop of two percentage points from the 2018 level of 61 percent, underscoring evolving voter engagement patterns across the country.
On another front, the Five Star Movement (M5S) led by Giuseppe Conte posted its weakest showing in years, failing to surpass 5 percent in most councils. The results reflect a shifting political landscape as voters recalibrate their support across the spectrum, with parties reassessing strategies in anticipation of future contests.