Regionals, from Fi-Fdi frictions in Campania to M5s doubts on Giani in Tuscany: here are all the unknowns

An event in the Marche region of Italy, in Ancona, to take a shot at the outgoing governor Francesco Acquaroli, whom the centre-right leaders are keen to define as 'institutional' - Giorgia Meloni and Antonio Tajani are present, with Matteo Salvini only by video link-up. And an appointment to tighten up on candidates, which is still not there. In the centre-right, negotiations continue to search for the 'best names' for the autumn regional elections. But the circle has not yet been closed. There is time and the dates are still missing, they justify themselves in the majority, alluding to the fact that in all likelihood the Veneto region will vote on the last useful weekend, 23 November, as well as in Puglia and Campania, a very open ground for debate even in the centre-left.

Also in Tuscany, neither coalition has yet made official the name of the candidate running. The centre-right seems intent on running the mayor of Pistoia Alessandro Tomasi (Fdi). Eugenio Giani, the outgoing governor, remains the favourite for an encore in the centre-left despite the coldness of the 5 Star Movement, which has not yet dissolved its reservation. "We have opposed this junta, so when faced with the same candidate, entering the junta is a considerable sacrifice, we must evaluate and the conditions will decide," said leader Giuseppe Conte in recent days. Certainly, given that the Region should go to the polls in October, this box will have to be unblocked more quickly, as well as that of Calabria, the new entry in the regional puzzle that has been animating the internal party debate for months.

Roberto Occhiuto, after the early resignation, is running to succeed himself. The centre-left is aiming to wrest the region from the centre-right. After all, the numbers say that the game is open. At least on paper, an extra-large field in Calabria is close to 50 per cent. At the 2024 European elections, the M5s took 16.18%, the PD 15.9%, Avs 6%, Stati Uniti d'Europa (with +Europa, Iv and Psi) 6%, Azione 4%. Meanwhile, the tototo names has already started. A shortlist that includes the Calabrian Vittoria Baldino, MP, and Anna Laura Orrico, who is regional coordinator of the 5 Stars. However, the most credible Pentastellist candidate would be the former president of the Inps, now MEP, Pasquale Tridico, who, however, is calling off for the moment. Alternatively, the Dems could field the regional secretary, and senator, Roberto Irto.

The other 5S candidate involved in the regional game is the former president of the Chamber of Deputies, Roberto Fico, on whom it would be on the home straight to close the deal in Campania (also with outgoing president Vincenzo De Luca). But Campania is also experiencing friction in the centre-right, where Fratelli d'Italia is ready to field Edmondo Cirielli, the current deputy foreign minister, while the allies, led by Forza Italia, do not hide their preference for the civic Giosy Romano, former commissioner of the Zes.

The game is open and at risk of leaving some traces, but never like the one in Veneto. In fact, the successor to Luca Zaia remains the real knot to untie: the Leghists are already in the electoral campaign, and are convinced that the secretary of the Veneto Liga Alberto Stefani will win in the end. But FdI claims excellent electoral results and absence from the leadership of a large northern region. Even if many within her own party are advising the premier to leave the Veneto to her allies and instead bet everything on Lombardy, which, however, barring any surprises, will only return to the vote in 2028. And the knot of the Zaia list remains to be unravelled. All the centre-right leaders (including Matteo Salvini) are against his presentation. But the outgoing governor, no longer eligible for re-election, does not seem willing to give it up