It's a challenge that ends at the photo finish for the new government of Sardinia.
The latest data from the count, when there are around 300 sections left to be scrutinized, give Alessandra Todde the lead over Paolo Truzzu with a small percentage (between 0.2 and 0.6 percent): the counting proceeds with exasperating slowness and the result definitive, with decimals, does not arrive before nightfall.
But the trend of the last few hours, when even the data from the big cities finally flow into the Region's portal, puts the candidate of the broad camp led by the Pd-M5s in the lead: if this is confirmed, it would be the first affirmation of the red-M5s alliance green where it has manifested itself so far.
And it would give Sardinia its first female president.
For further information Agenzia ANSA Regional elections in Sardinia: the news of the counting LIVE
That the wind was not in any case unfavorable to Todde was clear from the morning, with the arrival of the first official data which gave her a clear advantage over her centre-right opponent.
Few sections, it's true, but an unexpected detachment which immediately provoked declarations from some members of the government majority to try to ward off the blow: "We're paying for the fact that perhaps in five years we haven't governed exactly brilliantly", he says immediately. the FdI deputy Salvatore Deidda, ready, however, shortly afterwards, to correct his aim: "New data is arriving which is modifying the first ones. We are winning in many sections of the Cagliari hinterland, in Sarrabus, in the Oristano area, in Gallura, in the Sassarese. We never thought it was a walk in the park or an obvious victory for us, instead a head-to-head is looming."
Caution at the beginning also in Alessandra Todde's headquarters, but the enthusiasm was palpable: "a Champions League final", defined it by Ettore Licheri, senator and regional coordinator of the M5s, specifying that it was still the first half and that the game would be long.
From mid-day onwards the count saw the two candidates in a swing, a head-to-head marked by the advantage or by the appeal of one of the two contenders, which convinced both Todde and Truzzu not to reach their respective electoral offices, open in Cagliari, while waiting for a more certain outcome.
The turning point that gave the signal to the wide field that Todde could make it came with the departure from Rome of both the secretary of the Democratic Party Elly Schlein and the president of the Five Star Movement Giuseppe Conte for Cagliari, where they landed in the evening.
"There weren't many who imagined such an open challenge in Sardinia - says the five-star leader before boarding the plane - We're going to a photo finish, the result is a close call and can be decided by a handful of votes. May we win or it is lost, however, it will still have been an extraordinary result and Alessandra Todde deserves the embrace of our entire community for the great work done".
Truzzu isn't speaking at the moment.
No one saw him in her headquarters, deserted for a few hours now, when it became clear that there would be no exploit for the centre-right.
However, the person who decided to recognize Todde's victory was Renato Soru, the former governor who broke with the centre-left, running alone, but ended up being rejected at the polls: due to the 10% barrier for the coalition he will remain out by the Regional Council.
For further information Agenzia ANSA Sardinia: big cities in Todde, Truzzu holds centre-right forts - News - Ansa.it Soru defeated in coastal centers after controversy over the PPR (ANSA)
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