From Veneto to Campania, the knots to untie in the centre-right while waiting for the leaders' summit

The centre-right is still searching for the square to close the file on the next regional elections. Behind the scenes, work continues to define the list of candidates to be fielded. There should be no surprises in Tuscany and Calabria. The game is closed in Marche. But it remains open in Veneto, Campania and Puglia. Marche will be the first region to return to the polls, with elections set for 28 and 29 September. The centre-right will support the re-election of outgoing governor Francesco Acquaroli, a member of Fratelli d'Italia.

Immediately afterwards it will be the turn of Tuscany, where voting will take place on 12 and 13 October. Here the centre-right should rely on Alessandro Tomasi, mayor of Pistoia, who has been working for months to broaden the coalition. His name has been proposed by Fratelli d'Italia, which considers the choice now 'closed'. Tomasi has already collected the support of League leader Matteo Salvini, who gave him his endorsement at the Versiliana ('He could be a good governor'). Maurizio Lupi's formation, Noi Moderati, is also in favour ('he can attract votes'). Forza Italia, on the other hand, remains more cautious, as it has not yet dissolved its reservations, but without 'vetoes'.

In Calabria, the regional elections will be held early, on 5 and 6 October 2025, following the resignation of outgoing president Roberto Occhiuto, formalised in August following an investigation in which he is under investigation for corruption. The Forza Italia exponent, already engaged in election campaign, will present himself to the voters for a new mandate, with the support of the centre-right coalition, which is working to define the candidatures of possible councillors. In the coalition, the possibility of a 'Plan B' is being mooted - in case the legal framework deteriorates. The hypothesis that Giorgia Meloni could put Luigi Sbarra's card on the table has also been circulating, but only denials have arrived with the former CISL secretary who, we are assured, would not have given any availability for the Regionals, remaining focused on the role of undersecretary for the South.

In Campania, Apulia and Veneto, regions that are expected to go to the vote next autumn, the situation remains very uncertain. In Puglia, a spendthrift candidate is being sought. Forza Italia has proposed several names, among which that of the deputy Mauro D'Attis stands out. The party led by Antonio Tajani is also evaluating other profiles, such as MPs Andrea Caroppo and Vito De Palma.

In Campania there is a delay in choosing not only the name, but even the tunic with which the candidate will take the field. Fratelli d'Italia does not intend to give up the option of its own candidacy but also shows some cracks within itself between those who would confirm the first choice of Edmondo Cirielli and those who would instead prefer a civic figure such as the lawyer Giosy Romano. Forza Italia, which has been rowing against Cirielli from the start, stirred up the waters further with regional secretary Fulvio Martusciello enriching the debate by launching the hypothesis of 'a female candidature', which has so far remained without follow-up. Polls have also been commissioned on Mara Carfagna of Noi moderati, and a civic profile such as that of Gianfranco Nicoletti, rector of the Vanvitelli University, has not been discarded.