Italians are heading to the polls in three key regional elections – Campania, Puglia, and Veneto – with voting concluding Monday afternoon. Early indications suggest declining voter turnout across all three regions compared to previous contests, raising questions about engagement as Italy approaches the 2027 general election.These races are being closely watched as a bellwether for national political sentiment, following recent gains by the center-right coalition and as major figures like outgoing Campania Governor Vincenzo De Luca prepare to depart the political stage.
Polling stations are open until 3 p.m. Monday. Preliminary results indicate a decline in voter turnout in Campania, Puglia, and Veneto compared to the last regional elections. In Campania, turnout was 31.37% by 11 p.m. Sunday, down from 38.67% in the previous election; in Puglia, it was 29.39% (compared to 39.89%), and in Veneto, 33.88% (down from 46.13%).
Regional elections are underway in three Italian regions, with approximately 13 million citizens eligible to vote in Campania, Puglia, and Veneto. Polling stations were open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday and again from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday. Early returns show a drop in voter participation compared to previous elections. As of 7 p.m. Sunday, overall turnout stood at 26.45%, down from 29.75% at the same point in the last regional contests. Turnout in Campania was 25.64% (compared to 26.47% previously), in Puglia 23.51% (down from 27.78%), and in Veneto 29.16% (compared to 35.58%).
These regional elections serve as an important test for Italy’s political parties. In September and October, the center-right coalition secured victories in the Marche and Calabria regions, while the center-left prevailed in Tuscany. The results will offer insight into the current political landscape as the country approaches the 2027 general election.
Currently, the score stands at 2-1. Predictions suggest a final result of 3-3, but the ultimate outcome rests with voters. In Veneto, which has over 4 million eligible voters, the center-right is led by Alberto Stefani, a deputy and vice president to Matteo Salvini. The center-left, forming a broad coalition, is backing Giovanni Manildo, the former mayor of Treviso. Other candidates include Marco Rizzo (Democrazia Sovrana Popolare), Riccardo Szumski (Resistere Veneto), and Fabio Bui (Popolari per il Veneto). The Veneto race is unique in that incumbent President Luca Zaia is at the top of the list in all provinces, and is expected to leverage his popularity to boost the League’s performance.
In Campania, where 5 million residents are eligible to vote, Vincenzo De Luca is stepping down and has endorsed Roberto Fico of the Five Star Movement as his successor. Fico is running with the support of the entire center-left coalition, while the center-right is backing Edmondo Cirielli, a prominent figure in Brothers of Italy. Four independent candidates are also in the running: Giuliano Granato with the Campania Popolare list, Stefano Bandecchi, the mayor of Terni with the Dimensione Bandecchi list, Carlo Arnese, leading the Forza del Popolo list, and Nicola Campanile, heading the Per list.
Puglia, with nearly 4 million voters, is seeing Antonio Decaro succeed Michele Emiliano as the region’s candidate for the center-left. Decaro, recently elected to the European Parliament, is aiming for a fresh start after Emiliano’s decade-long tenure. The center-right is fielding Luigi Lobuono, the former president of the Bari Fair. Two other candidates are also competing: Sabino Mangano with the Civic Alliance for Puglia and Ada Donno, supported by a list including the Italian Communist Party, Power to the People, and Socialist Revival.
Attention will be focused on the outcome of the gubernatorial races, but the votes received by individual parties will also be closely watched, as they will impact the balance of power within the coalitions. These elections represent the final major political test before the 2027 general election.
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