Sardinians are casting their votes today in crucial regional elections. The voting is often seen as a gauge for national politics.
In the race for governor, centre-right candidate Paolo Truzzu is in a tight competition with Alessandra Todde, who represents the ‘broad field’ alliance between the centre-left Democratic Party and the populist left-wing 5-Star Movement (M5S).
The outcome of the regional elections will indicate whether this alliance stands a chance against the dominant right-centre-right coalition comprising Premier Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI), Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini’s right-wing League party, and Deputy Premier Antonio Tajani’s centre-right Forza Italia (FI) party.
A potential disruptor in the 2024 regional election is former Sardinian PD chief Renato Soru, a renowned web entrepreneur and local figure, who is running as an independent. Soru has garnered support from two centrist parties that have opted out of joining the centre-left alliance due to concerns about M5S.
The other candidate in Sunday’s election is leftist and regionalist Lucia Chessa (Sardigna R-esiste).
Voting is restricted to Sunday until 10 pm across 1,844 polling stations, with ballot counting commencing on Monday morning.
Over 1.4 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots, with approximately 1,400 candidates vying for the 60 seats in the Regional Council, in addition to the pivotal governorship race.
