Premier Giorgia Meloni expressed satisfaction on Tuesday after her centre-right coalition held Liguria in regional elections held on Sunday and Monday.
Former Governor Giovanni Toti resigned earlier this year due to a corruption scandal. Outgoing Genoa Mayor Marco Bucci is Liguria’s new governor, winning 48.8% of the vote and beating centre-left candidate Andrea Orlando by over 8,000 votes.
“Good morning, Italy,” Meloni said on social media. “The signal of trust received from the citizens in Liguria gives us even more strength to continue in this direction, always at the service of the Italian people. Forward together, with enthusiasm and determination to build a future of concrete action and results for our nation.”
Coalition leaders expressed their pleasure, too. Deputy Premier, Transport Minister, and League leader Matteo Salvini said, “Despite the investigations, the Ligurians are no fools.” Deputy Premier, Foreign Minister, and Forza Italia leader Antonio Tajani praised “good governance” as the winner in Liguria.
Opposition parties need to unite – Schlein
Democratic Party (PD) leader Elly Schlein urged Italy’s opposition parties to unite after the centre-left’s defeat in Liguria. Schlein said that only a unified opposition could beat Premier Meloni’s centre-right alliance.
Despite being the top individual party in Liguria, with PD taking 28.4% of the vote, the centre-left alliance still fell short.
“The PD gave its all,” Schlein said. “We realise that we are not enough alone. We hope this result will make all alternative forces to the Right reflect, as it makes us, who have not spent a minute on rows or competitions with other opposition parties, reflect too. Because our opponent is the Right that we want to beat.”
That appeal fell on deaf ears. Ex-premier Matteo Renzi blamed the loss on M5S leader Giuseppe Conte, citing his refusal to ally with Renzi’s Italia Viva (IV) party. Conte remarked, “We would have lost worse with IV in the alliance.”
