Local elections: the advance of the center-right in the municipalities, the center-left resists in Brescia

The new map of mayors, at the end of the first round of administrative elections, takes shape even if for the final picture we will have to wait for the outcome of the ballots, while the net figure is that on turnout, with a drop that seems unstoppable: in fact, 59% of those entitled to vote (6.3 million voters) voted, 2 percentage points less than in the previous electoral round.

Of the 595 municipalities that went to the polls on Sunday and Monday, 13 are capitals. Of these, 4 go to the center-right 2 to the center-left. Seven are instead the capitals that will go to the ballot (and the issue is to the attention of the majority where it pushes for the revision or even the abolition of the second round, currently scheduled in municipalities with a population of more than 15 thousand inhabitants). Brescia, which celebrates its first mayor with 54.84%, and Teramo - where the outgoing mayor, candidate of Pd-M54S, Gianguido D'Alberto, wins with 47.5%, remain on the center-left; the center-right wins in Treviso, (with the confirmation of the outgoing mayor Mario Conte who obtains 64.70% of the votes), Imperia, where Claudio Scajola is confirmed as first citizen with 62.97% of the preferences, Latina (a common police station that gave Matilde Celentano 70.68% of the votes, also the first woman-mayor in the history of the city) and Sondrio, where in the first round Marco Scaramellini won 57.86% of the preferences. The alliance between Pd and M5S suffers, which manages to make the difference in the two municipalities led by the center-left but not in others.

Among the cities that will choose the mayor in two weeks (back to the vote on 28 and 29 May) there is Siena, with the candidate of the center-right Nicoletta Fabio ahead of about 2 points compared to the candidate of the center-left Anna Ferretti (30.51 against 28.75%). Ancona is going to the ballot, even here with the center-right ahead that could conquer what has so far been a city governed by the center-left (45.11% of Daniele Salvetti against 41.28% of Ida Simonella). The opposite situation is in Vicenza, where the center-left caress the prospect of the turnaround with the candidate Giacomo Possamai who obtains 46.23% of the preferences, exceeding the result of Francesco Rucco, stopped at 44.06%. Brindisi goes to the ballot with the candidate of the center-right, Giuseppe Marchionna, ahead of more than ten points on the contender of the center-left Roberto Fusco (44% against 33.32%). Massa will also choose its mayor in the second round, where the outgoing mayor Francesco Persiani supported by the League, Fi and civic lists, is at 35.42% against 29.95% of the candidate of Pd and Alleanza Verdi Sinistra Enzo Ricci. While the candidate indicated by Fratelli d'Italia remains outside.

In Pisa we go to the ballot in extremis. Michele Conti, outgoing center-right mayor, remains narrowly below the 50% threshold, with 49.96% against 41.12% of the center-left candidate Paolo Martinelli. While in Terni the challenge will be between Orlando Masselli, candidate of the center-right at 35.85%, and Stefano Bandecchi, candidate of some civic lists, at 28.11%. Out in the first round the candidates of the Democratic Party and the 5 Star Movement.

A result that does not seem to particularly worry the opposition forces, in particular the Dems willing to measure the winning wave of the center-right, only after May 29. "There are few confirmations of the first round and many direct clashes that will be played in two weeks - said Davide Baruffi, head of local authorities of the Democratic Party - in Ancona the result is positive, the M5s is not in coalition and I think we can do well. The center-left candidate in Vicenza is ahead of the center-right. In a municipality governed by the center-right we are ahead." And he adds: "In some cases it has been possible to build broader alliances, in other cases it has not been possible. That will be the element that makes the difference."

At the moment, therefore, the Democratic Party leaks confidence, "being on the territories counts", is the reasoning, in light of the long electoral campaign, of the secretary Elly Schlein who announced for Tuesday afternoon a press conference on the results at the party headquarters.

Giovanni Donzelli, head of the organization of Fratelli d'Italia, speaks of a "clear victory of the center-right". "The center-right continues its path and obtains consensus even months after the Policies, indeed it advances," he then commented in an interview with Corriere della Sera. There are many small municipalities where we win that were previously governed by the left - continues Donzelli -. I could mention a few, from the Tuscan ones dear to me, like Poggio a Caiano, to some Venetians like San Donà di Piave. These are signs that the government and the majority are convincing and that united they are strong".

Matteo Salvini was also satisfied "for the clear growth of the League both in terms of votes and elected mayors and councilors". And the national coordinator of Forza Italia, Antonio Tajani, congratulates the winning mayors on social media. "The center-right wins in important capitals such as Latina, Sondrio, Imperia and Treviso. Congratulations to the elected mayors. We work to win the ballots, starting with Ancona where our Daniele Silvetti can win the city government after 30 years of left-wing administration".

In difficulty the Third Pole, which presented itself at the electoral appointment with variable alliances. Although the leader of Azione, Carlo Calenda, underlines the outcome of Brescia: "Very happy for Laura Castelletti and for the excellent result (and decisive for the victory) of our list".