Italian Democrats elect new leader in attempt to reverse decline in popularity

Zingaretti received between 65% and 70% of more than 1,5 million votes in a primary vote

The center-left governor of the region of Roma Nicola Zingaretti was chosen on Sunday to lead Italy's Democratic Party in a bid to reverse its falling popularity.

The party said this Sunday night that Nicola Zingaretti, governor of Lazio, obtained between 65% and 70% of more than 1,5 million votes in a primary vote. The final number was not yet available.

Zingaretti had the support of several former center-left premiers, including Paolo Gentiloni and Romano Prodi. The party lost its five-year governing power in 2018 national elections and has suffered from years of leadership infighting.

As the party's new secretary, Zingaretti will have to devise a strategy to win back voters who have defected to the populist 5-Star Movement, currently the largest party in Parliament. The Democrats are currently the biggest opposition in Parliament.

Democrats hope to capitalize on the populist government's failure to revive the economy and refusal to allow migrants rescued at sea by groups to disembark in Italy.

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By Associated Press