Turnout Plummets as Centreleft Alliance Retains Power in Campania and Puglia

A broad centreleft alliance is set to continue governing the Italian regions of Campania and Puglia following exit polls from the recent elections, while the centreright retains control of Veneto. These developments come amid notably decreased voter turnout across all three regions. In Campania, former Lower House Speaker and 5Star Movement (M5S) member Roberto Fico is projected to secure just under 60% of the votes, while the candidate from the centreright, Edmondo Cirielli, who serves as foreign undersecretary, is expected to receive around 40%. Turning to Puglia, the voters appear to favor former Bari mayor Antonio Decaro, who is anticipated to garner approximately 70% of the votes. In contrast, the centreright's Luigi Lobuono is forecasted to acquire around 30%. However, the centreright has managed to maintain its historical stronghold in Veneto. Candidate Alberto Stefani is projected to win over 60% of the votes, compared to Giovanni Manildo of the centreleft, who hovers around 30%. Despite these significant outcomes, the elections were marred by sharply declining voter engagement. In Campania, just 4,405 of registered voters turned out, marking a decrease of 11 percentage points compared to the last election held five years ago. In Puglia, the situation is even more concerning, with voter turnout dropping to 4,108, a decline of over 14 percentage points. Veneto saw a particularly drastic fall, with only 446 voters participating, a staggering 165-point drop. This trend of diminishing participation raises concerns about the public's engagement with the electoral process, and analysts are keenly observing implications for future electoral strategies in these regions. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2