Zaia, De Luca and Emiliano: what will they do now?

The victories of Alberto Stefani in Veneto, of Roberto Fico in Campania and of Antonio Decaro in Puglia mark the end of the 'dynasties' of three governors central to the Italian political landscape: Luca Zaia, Vincenzo De Luca and Michele Emiliano. All three have completed their terms as presidents of their respective regions and their future roles are still subject to debate and speculation. What is certain is that they do not seem to have any intention of retiring from politics.

Zaia won a record number of preferences in the regional elections and will sit on the Veneto Regional Council, at least initially. 'On my future at the moment I do not have any shots in the barrel. I will enter the regional council as a simple councillor, after which all the things I read about, if they come, will only mature in months, close to the summer. But at the moment I can assure you that there is nothing. My future is in the Regional Council at the service of the party and Stefani,' he assured hot on his heels, commenting on the Lega's election results in Veneto.

Rumours and inferences about his future have been circulating for months. There has been talk of a post-Brugnaro candidacy as mayor of Venice next year. Of a seat in the Chamber in Stefani's place (Salvini had 'launched' him, but the Doge did not like the candidature without being asked). Another hypothesis is a 'heavy' ministry in the event of a possible reshuffle of the Meloni government. Lastly, the presidency of Eni, a sort of 'luxury car park' while waiting to fill a political box of weight. But it is also not excluded that in the end Zaia will decide to remain in the regional council.

After deciding not to run for the regional council, it is no mystery that De Luca is aiming to influence the balance of the new Campania junta. He will try to do so by making the 8.3% and 4 councillors of his 'A testa alta' list count. A list strongly desired by the 'sheriff' to intercept the votes of 'those who want to continue the work of these years, who do not want to turn back the region'. He has already optioned the box of the strategic councillorship of health for one of his men, as well as the presidency of the regional council. In his political future, he would be tempted to return to be mayor in his city Salerno, where the vote will be held in a year's time and where he has already been mayor for four terms.

Michele Emiliano officially states that he would like to take a break so he can spend more time with his two-month-old daughter and enjoy his new fatherhood at the age of 66. Struck by his godson Decaro's veto on his candidature in the city council, Emiliano has no intention of leaving the Apulian political scene. There has long been talk of an aldorship for him in the Decaro junta. But the agreement between the two has never been confirmed or denied. In any case, if no political offers were forthcoming in Puglia there would be the road back to the judiciary. Before landing in Parliament again in 2027, as a candidate of the PD.