On the eve of the provincial election, a "league" party led by Matteo Celebini will try to oust the Social Democrats in two important districts • A league achievement may crush the coalition

• "League" leader Matteo Selbini at election rally // Photo: Reuters

In Italy, district elections will be held today, which could change the face of the country's political arena: The populist right-wing "League," led by Matteo Salvini, will try to oust the Social Democratic Party from power in two counties, considered the bastions of this party since the end of World War II.

Public opinion polls indicate a fairly close race between the two parties in the Emilia-Romagna and Calabria counties. Slavini has spent all his energy in the last few weeks in a very intense election campaign under the slogan "Liberate from the Social Democrats." He held mass rallies daily, calling on the residents of the provinces to "make history" and to bring about a governing revolution. The "League," which became the last right-wing party in Italy two years ago, relies on the support of the other right-wing parties, while the "Democratic Party," the Social Democratic Party in Rome, tries to unite all the left-wing forces around it to ensure its continued rule.

The elections are being held in the shadow of a deep crisis in Italy's top ruling party, "Five Stars," whose power has been in recent months - since the Social Democrats' coalition formed last summer, with free fall. The crisis in the populist anti-establishment party has intensified with the surprising announcement last week by party and foreign minister Luigi Di Mayo of his decision to quit the party in the face of fierce internal criticism of him for the unflattering public opinion polls. According to the latest polls in Italy, if a general election were to be held in Italy, "five stars" would lose about half its power in the previous election.

Celebini, for his part, still enjoys great popularity and may lead his party to historic victory if general elections are soon held. "League" has won all the elections in Italy since the general election in 2018, including the European Parliament elections, which for the first time in its history became the largest party in Italy. A "league" turnaround in districts in which elections are taking place today, especially in Emilia-Romagna, will strengthen Slavini's public standing, despite the efforts of the judiciary and political rivals to prosecute and attempt to disqualify his possible candidacy for prime minister. In the summer, Slavini dismantled the government in which "League" sat with "Five Stars," after the ruling party blocked reforms Slavin sought to pass in various areas.

Celebini's achievement in today's elections may hasten the disintegration of the ruling coalition in Rome and lead to early elections. However, such an achievement and the anticipated victory of Selbini in general elections will not cause the coalition members to adhere to their alliance and government, hoping that attempts to bring Celebini to justice will progress quickly and block his way to the prime minister.