The center-right coalition has emerged victorious in the Liguria regional elections held over the weekend, with Marco Bucci, the current mayor of Genoa, securing the presidency after a tight race against Andrea Orlando from the center-left. Bucci garnered 48.7% of the votes compared to Orlando’s 47.4%, with around 60 out of 1,785 ballots remaining to be counted. The current lead is approximately 10,000 votes, marking a significant political shift for the region.
Bucci’s success is noteworthy, as the Democratic Party emerged as the most voted party in the region with about 28.5% of the vote, a notable increase from the 19.9% it received in the 2020 regional elections. Fratelli d’Italia also improved its standing, rising from 10.87% in 2020 to 15% this year. Voter turnout was a mere 46%, the lowest in recent decades, compared to 53% in 2020 and 50% in 2015, indicating a decline in public engagement.
The elections were called early following the resignation of former president Giovanni Toti, who stepped down amid corruption allegations. For the ruling coalition, this victory is a significant political achievement, especially as the center-left had hoped to reclaim control of a region historically leaning towards leftist governance. Bucci’s unexpected candidacy, announced less than two months ago, reshaped the campaign landscape, leveraging his substantial popularity in Liguria.
At nearly 65 years old, Bucci has served as mayor of Genoa since 2017 and was re-elected in 2022. Prior to his political career, he had a lengthy tenure in the pharmaceutical industry. His candidacy was particularly surprising given his recent health struggles due to metastatic cancer, which led many to believe he would retire from politics after his term. In contrast, Orlando, 55, a prominent figure in the Democratic Party, has previously focused on national politics, making this his first serious bid in regional elections, despite being criticized for his local engagement. With the current government facing challenges, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is keen to highlight this electoral success amidst ongoing political tensions.
