2025 municipal elections, the center-left conquers Genoa and confirms Ravenna: Salis and Barattoni elected in the first round.

Silvia Salis new mayor of Genoa with 51,48%, Alessandro Barattoni triumphs in Ravenna with over 58%. Center-left also ahead in Taranto and Matera, which go to the run-off. Turnout stable at 56,29%.

The centre-left returns to lead Genoa after seven years of centre-right: Silvia Salis, candidate of the "broad field" formed by the Democratic Party, the 5 Star Movement and civic lists, is the new mayor with 51,48% of the votes, beating Pietro Piciocchi, candidate of the centre-right coalition, who stopped at 44,20% in the first round. A clear victory which, in addition to its local significance, takes on a strong national political significance. Salis thus becomes the first female mayor in the history of the city.

The official confirmation arrived late at night, at the end of the counting in the 653 sections of the Ligurian capital. 249.115 citizens voted, equal to a turnout of 56,29%, in line with the previous electoral round. The valid votes were 242.260, with 2.207 blank ballots and 4.569 invalid ones.

Salis: “Together we win. I dedicate the victory to my father”

Excited, Salis dedicated his victory to his father, who died at the beginning of the electoral campaign, and talked about a “collective victory”, the result of the center-left's ability to present itself as united. "When the progressive field is cohesive, the right cannot compete," he said during the press conference. He also received a congratulatory phone call from challenger Piciocchi, who admitted defeat by acknowledging: "We are leaving Genoa better than we found it in 2017."

Centre-left landslide in Ravenna too

Il the centre-left won by a wide margin in Ravenna too, where Alessandro Barattoni was elected mayor with 58,15% of the votes (35.759 votes). His main opponent, Nicola Grandi – supported by Fratelli d'Italia, Forza Italia and the civic group “Viva Ravenna” – stopped at 25,05% (15.405 votes), while the League, which ran alone with Alvaro Ancisi, obtained just 6%.

Decisive run-offs in Taranto and Matera

In the remaining two provincial capitals voting, Taranto and Matera, there will be a run-off. In Taranto, the center-left candidate Piero Bitetti exceeded 35% and will challenge one between Luca Lazzaro (center-right) and the civic Francesco Tacente, both above 20%. In Matera, Roberto Cifarelli of the PD exceeded 40% and will face Antonio Nicoletti, supported by Fratelli d'Italia and Forza Italia, who obtained 37%.

Political Reading: The Return of the “Wide Field”

The secretary of the Democratic Party, Elly Schlein, rejoiced for "two extraordinary victories" and stressed how “the centre-left wins when it is united”, also claiming an eight-point growth of the Democratic Party compared to the previous elections. Giuseppe Conte also spoke of a "winning model" based on inclusive and grassroots projects. Italia Viva's approach was different, with Matteo Renzi taking a swipe at Conte: "When there are no vetoes, you win."

The center-right, for its part, downplays the significance of the results. “This administrative round cannot be given a national interpretation,” declared Giovanni Donzelli (FdI), while Carlo Calenda (Azione) relaunched the reformist profile of the candidates as the key to building consensus.

Stable turnout and eyes on the future

In the 126 municipalities called to vote (117 in the regions with ordinary statutes and 9 commissioners in Sicily), the average turnout was 56,29%, practically identical to the last round (56,32%). A figure considered encouraging in view of the referendums on work and citizenship on June 8 and 9, which will be valid only with the participation of at least 50% of voters.

The administrative elections mark a return of the center-left in a strategic capital like Genoa and a solid confirmation in Ravenna. The most relevant political fact is the effectiveness of the broad field: when Pd, M5S and civics present themselves united, the center-right struggles. But the battle is not over: the run-offs in Taranto and Matera will be the next test for alliances and strategies in view of future challenges, starting with the 2027 policies.