The Democratic Party (PD) has surpassed 28%, gaining two points in the regional elections in Liguria compared to the European elections, firmly establishing itself as the leading party. However, this was not enough to wrest the region from the center-right, as Marco Bucci narrowly defeated Andrea Orlando by a handful of votes. This small margin weighs heavily on the left’s efforts to build a credible alternative to the center-right coalition.
The national fragility of the left’s alliance is echoed in the Ligurian vote. The PD seems to stand alone; its growth has not translated into a broader coalition success. “We have done our part; the issue lies with our allies,” noted Dario Nardella, highlighting the challenges of forming a united front against their opponents.
The Five Star Movement (M5S) suffered a dramatic decline, halving its votes from the European elections, dropping from 10% to 5%. This unexpected collapse is attributed to the resurgence of conflict between Giuseppe Conte and Beppe Grillo, which erupted just before the polls opened. Additionally, the exclusion of Italia Viva (IV) from the coalition, pushed by Conte and supported by Avs, has further weakened the left’s chances. Just two months ago, the M5S seemed poised for success with encouraging poll results.
Matteo Renzi wasted no time in demanding accountability, asserting, “Those who impose vetoes lose. Giuseppe Conte and all those who have raised vetoes against Italia Viva have lost.” He emphasized that had his party been included, the outcome might have been different, stating that even his personal preferences from the European elections could have altered the result. Renzi pointed to previous electoral outcomes, such as in Basilicata, to argue that a centrist approach is essential for victory, urging the left to learn from this experience.
All eyes are now on Elly Schlein. The dynamics within the center-left, once uncertain before the European elections, have become clear after the results in Liguria. “The responsibility to lead the center-left is ours, and we must do it with a national project,” stated Nardella. Schlein, who followed the results at the Nazareno, has yet to publicly address the defeat, which, following recent political turmoil, was expected to be an easy win but turned into a setback. The pressure on her to unify the party will intensify as the reformist wing questions the wisdom of yielding to Conte and Avs’ vetoes against Renzi. While the dream of a triple victory has dissipated with this loss, two more significant elections, in Umbria and Emilia-Romagna, loom on the horizon in just a month.
