By only three thousand votes difference, the center-left opposition to the center-right government of Giorgia Meloni, in Italy, won
the governorship of the region of Sardinia
for the first time in 75 years .
And it was a woman, also for the first time, the winner: Alessandra Todde.
She obtained 45.4% of the votes after a close scrutiny against the conservative Paolo Truzzu, the prime minister's candidate, who added 45%.
Todde was voted mainly in the most populated centers.
Only 54.4% (758,848 voters) went to the polls.
Despite the small difference in votes between the two coalitions,
its political consequences could be important.
The defeated conservative candidate belongs to Meloni's party, Brothers of Italy (HdI), which in
a year and a half of government did not lose any local elections
and Giorgia Meloni consolidated her power as head of government.
Statements were expected from Meloni, who limited himself to congratulating the winner Alessandra Todde and signing a declaration together with his center-right allies, the deputy ministers Antonio Tajani, of Forza Italia, the party founded by Silvio Berlusconi, and the League boss Matteo Salvini.
Former center-left premier Giuseppe Conte, winner Alessandra Todde and Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein celebrate victory in Sardinia.
Photo: EFE
In it they state: "We must reason together to evaluate the possible mistakes made that led to the defeat. We will continue working, learning from our defeats and our victories."
While the liberal-conservative Forza Italia garnered 6.3% of the vote, populist Matteo Salvini's party shrank to a disappointing 3.8% of the vote.
There is no shortage of rumors indicating that there were groups controlled by Salvini that voted for the opposition candidate to cause a defeat that puts Giorgia Meloni, protagonist of several confrontations with her populist partner Salvini, in trouble.
There is no evidence of this trip but the topic is talked about.
Center-left agreement
The victory of the center-left was the result of the agreement between the Democratic Party led by Elly Schlein and the 5 Star Movement, whose head is former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.
Both hugged the new president of the region of the island of Sardinia, Alessandr Todde.
The leader of the Democratic Party (18.5% in the polls), the first opposition party, was also especially celebrated, because Elly Schlein was elected to the position a year ago.
In turn, former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said that the alliance of the 5 Star Movement (16.6%) with the democrats has turned this Tuesday's day into “an unforgettable day.”
Giorgia Meloni, with Silvio Berlusconi and Matteo Salvini, during the 2022 election campaign in Italy.
Photo: REUTERS
“The wind changes.
Some didn't even bet that we would get this far.
What is emerging is above all a victory for the Sardinians,” explained the leader of the Democratic Party.
“One thing is certain.
The alternative to this government exists.
We couldn't wait for a better reason to celebrate this game victory.
“We have shown that the right can be beaten,” she noted.
He added: “Giorgia Meloni has lost, who has imposed Truzzu forcefully and Matteo Salvini has also lost.”
In turn, Conte, from M5Estrellas, said that “this is the wind that blows from Sardinia to the continent.
This means that if we manage to build a serious and credible project, convincing for citizens, we can be competitive and win.”
Alluding sarcastically to the thousands of posters plastered on the streets and squares of Sardinian cities with the premier's face, he said that so much display "is a personal defeat for Meloni."
Since a year ago, when she won the general elections and was proclaimed prime minister by the Italian Parliament, Giorgia Meloni has consolidated
a solid majority
that brings her party to 2.8%.
With her allies from Forza Italia and Salvini's League, she registers a solid majority.
The result in Sardinia, for the first time, alters the popularity results of Meloni, who this year has achieved a very prominent international presence, as acting president during 2024 of the Group of Seven, the most industrialized countries, which are the United States, Japan , Canada, Germany, France, Italy and Great Britain.
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