Giorgia Meloni suffers setback as centre-left claims Sardinia election win

In the latest regional election in Sardinia, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni faced the prospect of her first electoral setback since assuming power in 2022.

Partial results released on Tuesday indicated that a center-left candidate, Alessandra Todde, backed by the 5-Star Movement and the Democratic Party (PD), was leading the race for the presidency of Sardinia.

With nearly all votes counted, Todde secured 45.3% of the vote, narrowly surpassing Paolo Truzzu, Meloni’s preferred right-wing candidate, who garnered 45.0%.

Despite the slim margin and incomplete tally, pollsters and media outlets projected Todde as the winner.

She celebrated her apparent victory alongside 5-Star leader Giuseppe Conte and PD’s Elly Schlein, signaling a significant triumph for opposition forces after a series of electoral defeats.

If confirmed, Todde would become the first female president of Sardinia and the inaugural regional president affiliated with the 5-Star Movement.

Moreover, her victory would represent the first successful transition of a region to the center-left since 2015, offering a morale boost to opposition parties following years of electoral setbacks.

Speaking in Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia, Todde expressed her elation and pride, emphasizing the historic significance of the election for the island.

The election, held on Sunday, experienced delays in vote counting, commencing only on Monday morning and extending beyond the usual timeframe.

Despite Meloni’s coalition, comprising the Brothers of Italy, the League, and Forza Italia, having secured victories in all four regional elections in 2023 and controlling 14 out of 20 regions, the outcome in Sardinia suggested a shift in political dynamics. Polls continued to indicate the rightist coalition’s lead at the national level.

The successful collaboration between Schlein and Conte in Sardinia may prompt closer cooperation between their respective parties to challenge the rightist coalition nationwide.

With approximately 1.44 million eligible voters, Sardinia witnessed a turnout estimated at 52.4%. Todde, a former industry undersecretary, is poised to succeed Christian Solinas, who opted not to seek re-election due to dwindling approval ratings.

The upcoming regional election in Abruzzo on March 10, where the PD and 5-Star Movement have again formed an alliance, represents another crucial political test in Italy.

Additionally, the European Parliament elections scheduled for June will provide further insights into the evolving political landscape.

In national opinion polls, Meloni’s Brothers of Italy leads with approximately 28%, followed by PD at around 20% and 5-Star Movement at 16%.

These figures underscore the fragmented nature of Italian politics and the ongoing competition among various political factions.

Overall, the outcome of the Sardinian regional election marks a significant development in Italian politics, signaling a potential resurgence of the center-left opposition and challenging the dominance of Meloni’s right-wing coalition.

As Italy braces for upcoming electoral contests, including regional and European Parliament elections, the political landscape remains dynamic and subject to further shifts in power and alliances.

Click here for more on Giorgia Meloni at EU Today

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