Polls reopen and last day of voting

Polls reopened this morning at 7:00 a.m. in Veneto, Campania, and Puglia for the second and final day of the 2025 regional elections. Voting will continue until 3:00 p.m., after which the vote count will determine the new regional presidents and renew their respective regional councils. Approximately 11–13 million citizens are expected to vote, in an event that concludes a long electoral season that began in late September with Marche and Valle d'Aosta and continued with Calabria and Tuscany.

Voter turnout down in all regions

The most significant finding from the first day of voting is the sharp drop in turnout. By 11:00 PM on Sunday, only 31,96% of eligible voters had cast their ballots, compared to 41,53% in the previous round of voting in 2020: a decline of almost ten percentage points. All three regions confirmed this trend. Veneto recorded the steepest decline, from 46,13% to 33,88%. Puglia remained at 29,45%, compared to 39,88% in 2020, while Campania fell from 38,91% to 32,07%. This decline was already evident in the polls at 12:00 PM and 7:00 PM, both lower than the levels of the previous elections.

The end of three long political cycles

This election is not just about choosing the new regional councils, but above all it marks the conclusion of three very long political seasons. In Veneto, the fifteen-year tenure of Luca Zaia, a dominant leader in the Northeast, comes to an end. In Campania, the decade of Vincenzo De Luca, a central and often controversial figure, comes to a close. In Puglia, after ten years, Michele Emiliano's reign comes to an end. All three attempted, in different ways, to secure a third consecutive term, but the Constitutional Court and internal political balances within the parties have upheld the two-term limit.

Campania: the most uncertain challenge

Campania is considered the most uncertain and politically interesting region. Vying for the presidency are Roberto Fico, former Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and a prominent figure in the Five Star Movement, supported by the broad coalition of the Democratic Party, Five Star Movement, and other progressive lists; and Edmondo Cirielli, Deputy Foreign Minister and candidate of the united center-right. The campaign was tense, marked by internal clashes within the center-left and mutual attacks between the two camps. The strained relationship between Fico and De Luca had a profound impact, with the outgoing governor initially opposed to his candidacy. The final result will determine whether the coalition will hold and what role Deluchismo will play in the future regional political landscape.

Puglia: the dominion of Decaro and the succession to Aemilianus

In Puglia, the situation appears more defined. Antonio Decaro, former mayor of Bari and MEP, is considered the frontrunner among the broad progressive camp. Challenging him is the center-right civic candidate, Luigi Lobuono, entrepreneur and former president of the Fiera del Levante. Also joining the fray are Sabino Mangano and Ada Donno, representing the civic camp and the more radical left, respectively. Decaro's personal strength, confirmed by his success in the European elections and the popular support he has shown over the years, has allowed him to profoundly influence the composition of the coalition. His veto on the inclusion of incumbent Michele Emiliano on the list has forced the Democratic Party to reshape its internal balance of power. Here too, the outcome will reveal much not only about the winner, but also about the future structure of the center-left in Puglia.

Veneto: The post-Zaia era and the derby between the League and Brothers of Italy.

In Veneto, the main contest is between Alberto Stefani for the center-right and Giovanni Manildo for the center-left. They are joined by three civic or alternative candidates: Marco Rizzo, Fabio Bui, and Riccardo Szumski. Although the region is considered a center-right leaning region, political attention is primarily focused on the balance of power between the League and Brothers of Italy. The results of the lists will determine whether the Northern League will be able to revitalize its regional leadership, thanks in part to the Zaia effect, or whether the Brothers of Italy will consolidate its gains in traditionally League-held territories.

A vote that looks to 2027

The count will reveal not only who will lead Veneto, Campania, and Puglia. It will also reveal which coalition will be able to claim an advantage in terms of overall votes, which party will emerge stronger within its coalitions, and how much influence figures like Zaia, De Luca, and Emiliano will still have. Many observers view these elections as a crucial test for the path to the 2027 general election. In a climate marked by rising abstention and an increasingly fragile relationship between citizens and institutions, the final result will offer a valuable snapshot of the state of Italian politics.