The opinion: by Andira Vitale

The people of Sardinia voted for the left-wing president and showed a red card to the right-wing parties. This result started the Abruzzo local election race in political parties as of yesterday, March 10th. The title of the race, where storms of “anxiety”, “hope”, and “excitement” blow, is the same: “Will Sardinia Island create a Domino effect?”

The fact that Alessandra Todde, supported by the Democratic Party (PD), Five Star Movement (M5S) and some non-governmental organisations, became the mayor of the island of Sardinia increased the tension in the boots. Todde narrowly defeated Paolo Truzzu, the right-wing candidate chosen by Meloni, and became the island’s first female president.

Considering the possibilities of power, the habit of right-wing parties ruling the island for years, and the fact that parties such as Azione and Italia Viva act independently, the success of Alessandra Todde and the centre-left alliance is considerable…

In alliances, both gains and losses are expected. However, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her party, unlike their coalition partners (FI-Lega), were figures who continued to rise since the day she came to power and steered the coalition ship smoothly. Sardinian elections shattered this public perception…

Her party, which continued to rise in the polls, lost “by the hand of the people” in a regional election. Left parties, which have so far been unable to take a strong stance against the right-wing coalition, have won a crucial regional victory…

“The wind is changing, although some people would not have bet on it; one thing is certain: there is an alternative,” said Elly Schlein, who leads the PD…

“It’s an unforgettable day. The Sardinian citizens closed the door to Giorgia Meloni and associates and opened it to the alternative. The air has changed; the parties had found the right “playing field” in Sardinia, adding that the alliance arose from “effort and serious confrontation”, said Giuseppe Conte, leader of the M5S…

“The regional elections are confirmed to be insurmountable, given the one-round electoral system and the low participation which marginalises the opinion vote, for the forces and candidates outside the two poles of the right and the left. It’s a lesson we will take into account. The entirely internal collapse of the right is a good sign for the country and Sardinia, which the League had governed very badly”. Action leader Carlo Calenda writes it on X…

This was one of the most important results of the election. A new door of hope has opened against the government of Giorgia Meloni. Opposition parties turned to that door with the spirit of unity. As such, the Abruzzo local election to be held on March 10 came to the fore even before the official Sardinian results were announced yesterday. Political parties turned their statements and routes to the region east of Rome.

The two parties (PD-M5S) joined forces for regional elections in the Abruzzo region on March 10. Questa volta, a differenza della Sardegna, anche Azione e Italia Viva sosterranno il candidato di centrosinistra. The new mayor of Sardinia Island, Alessandra Todde, announced that she would immediately set out for Abruzzo for the local elections. She was in the area today, too.

 “Since 2015, the centre-left has not wrested a region from the right,” said Schlein. “Perhaps this path is the right one.”

The competition will see two leading presidential candidates: Marco Marsilio, the current president supported by a centre-right coalition and Luciano D’Amico, former rector of the University of Teramo, leading a centre-left coalition…

Marsilio’s political history began very early in the Italian social movement from high school and continued in the student movements at university. From 1996 to 2000, he was vice-president of Azione Giovani, the youth movement of the National Alliance and city councillor in Rome. In 2008, he was elected to the Chamber of Deputies with the National Alliance and then moved to Fratelli d’Italia in 2012. In Abruzzo, he is aiming for re-election with the support of Forza Italia, Lega, and other civic groups.

As already experienced in Sardinia, the focus is on the broad field in Abruzzo. A coalition formed by the Democratic Party, the 5 Star Movement, and various civic lists will support Luciano D’Amico. D’Amico, a true Abruzzo native, graduated from the Faculty of Economics and Commerce and undertook an academic career (and beyond), becoming Rector of the University of Teramo. He was the director of Arpa, a company that manages public regional bus lines in the Abruzzo region. He received the honour of Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

Finally, with the possible Domino effect of Sardinia Island, Abruzzo is the first region led by FDI and the constituency where Giorgia Meloni was elected… The head-to-head race to win the elections continues…