The Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, and allies in his coalition won landslide electoral victories in the country's two richest regions this Monday (13), strengthening the right's grip on power amid growing voter apathy.
Less than five months after gaining power at the national level, the conservative bloc obtained more than 50% of the votes in the regions of Lazio, centered on the national capital Rome, and Lombardy, home to the financial capital Milan.
"This result consolidates the center-right and strengthens the government's work“, wrote Meloni on Twitter.
This was the first electoral test for Meloni since taking power in September last year and confirmed that she is still enjoying a strong honeymoon with voters, helped by a weak opposition that did not field joint candidates in either region.
However, the landslide victory was partially overshadowed by the fact that only 40% of people turned out to vote — the lowest number ever recorded for Lazio and Lombardy, regions that together represent just over a quarter of the national population.
Although the right already controlled Lombardy, they took Lazio from the center left, meaning that the conservatives now rule 15 of Italy's 20 regions, in addition to the central government, giving them a unique opportunity to shape domestic policy.
The nationalist party brothers from Italy confirmed his position as the most popular in the country, gaining approximately 33% of support in Lazio and 26% in Lombardia –in line with the 2022 general elections.
Italy's electoral laws at both the national and regional levels favor parties that combine forces, meaning Meloni's opponents will face years of isolation unless they learn to work together.
