By-elections in Calabria: Roscioli (centre-right) wins with over 50 per cent; Vannacci’s candidate comes close to 11 per cent. Meloni and Tajani celebrate
In the by-election for the Chamber of Deputies in the Reggio Calabria constituency, Fabio Roscioli (Forza Italia) won 51 per cent of the vote, the centre-left candidate, Frank Benedetto, 36.6 per cent, and the Futuro Nazionale candidate, Domenico Giannetta, 10.9 per cent. Voter turnout plummeted to 22.4 per cent: four years ago, in the general election, it had stood at 49.4 per cent.
A clear victory for the centre-right candidate Fabio Roscioli in the by-election for the Chamber of Deputies in the Reggio Calabria constituency (the seat having been vacated by Francesco Cannizzaro – Forza Italia – who was elected mayor of the provincial capital last spring). With the count now complete, Roscioli (also of Forza Italia) won 51 per cent of the vote, the centre-left candidate Frank Benedetto 36.6 per cent, and the Futuro Nazionale candidate with Vannacci, Domenico Giannetta, 10.9 per cent.
It is worth noting, however, the sharp drop in turnout. It stood at 22.4 per cent of those eligible to vote. This represents a dramatic drop compared to the 49.4 per cent recorded in the general election four years ago, when voting took place on a single day. It should be noted, however, that of the 345,788 eligible voters, 58,729 are resident abroad. These voters could only vote in the by-elections by returning to Italia and physically going to a polling station, as postal voting from abroad was not permitted (unlike in normal general elections). This had a negative impact on the already very low turnout.
Meloni: In Reggio, the centre-right defeats the very broad spectrum of opposition parties
“The centre-right has once again demonstrated its unity in the by-election in Reggio Calabria, prevailing over a very broad field of opposition candidates. Congratulations to Fabio Roscioli on this result, and thank you to all the voters who chose to place their trust in us. A vote that once again rewards a united, well-established coalition capable of connecting with local communities,” commented the Prime Minister and leader of FdI Giorgia Meloni on social media, ignoring Vannacci and his candidate.
Tajani: Forza Italia wins by a landslide in the by-elections in Calabria; it is a mainstay of the centre-right
“Forza Italia has won a landslide victory in the by-elections in Reggio Calabria”, “this confirms the strength of our party in the region, its deep roots amongst the people and its ability to attract citizens and various groups through serious, widely supported and popular ideas. “We are, and have once again demonstrated in these elections, a pillar of that centre-right that Berlusconi created, founded and led to success,” exults the Deputy Prime Minister and leader of Forza Italia, Antonio Tajani.
Occhiuto: Did Vannacci want his own Saxony? He came away with an electoral thrashing in Reggio
The President of the Calabria Region and national deputy secretary of Forza Italia Roberto Occhiuto made a scathing comment: ‘Did Vannacci want his own Saxony? In Reggio, he was pelted with electoral stones.’ “The voters of Reggio,” he added, “have rewarded the centre-right’s good governance, both in the regional government and in the local council under Mayor Francesco Cannizzaro, who has once again done an extraordinary job. Roscioli will be an important figure for us in Rome.”
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