MEP Pasquale Tridico has agreed to be the centre-left coalition’s candidate in the upcoming Calabrian regional election. After days of consideration, the Five Star Movement politician confirmed his availability to the coalition. His candidacy is expected to be officially announced on Friday when the regional board of the Democratic Party (PD) meets.
Developments are also anticipated in the coming days in Campania, where Roberto Fico is the prospective candidate, and in Puglia, where negotiations continue to resolve the stalemate between Antonio Decaro and Michele Emiliano—the final hurdle to Decaro’s nomination.
Meanwhile, a threat to the broad camp emerged in Tuscany from Carlo Calenda of Azione. He stated, “Giani has signed an agreement with the M5S that includes absurdities: citizen’s income, no to infrastructures, etc. None of these points were discussed or negotiated with Azione. If the government programme for the Region is decided by [the M5S], we will not be there.”
The breakthrough in Calabria came hours after a statement from Five Star leader Giuseppe Conte, who clarified that the proposal to nominate Tridico was not “fictitious” and that two other “equally authoritative” alternatives, Vittoria Baldino and Anna Laura Orrico, had been offered.
The former president of Italy’s social security agency (INPS), who was a key architect of the citizen’s income policy in 2018, told ANSA, “Yes, I am available. If all the progressive forces are there, I confirm my availability.” Among the first to be informed was Mimmo Lucano, an MEP for the Greens and Left Alliance and the mayor of Riace, who called Tridico “a hope for Calabria.” A remaining question is whether the supporting broad coalition will include Italia Viva.
The 50-year-old from Cosenza posted on social media, “It is time for courage. It is time for Calabria, our land, to bring it back with its head held high to where it deserves to be.” The election on October 5-6 is now set to be a challenge against the incumbent centre-right governor, Roberto Occhiuto of Forza Italia.
Aside from incumbent presidents seeking re-election, the centre-right has not yet officially announced its front-runners for the regional votes. This includes Alessandro Tomasi, the mayor of Pistoia and regional coordinator of Brothers of Italy, despite a civic list logo supporting his Tuscan run against the PD’s Eugenio Giani already being presented.
Within the national ruling coalition, a leaders’ summit is expected by the end of August to resolve several issues, primarily the standoff between Brothers of Italy and the League over choosing a candidate for Veneto. Names for Puglia and Campania are also pending, where the contender is all but officially Roberto Fico.
Former minister and Campanian M5S exponent Sergio Costa told the newspaper Repubblica, “The PD in Campania must be given the necessary time to resolve their internal issues, but not too much.” Indeed, a debate is ongoing within Elly Schlein’s party on whether to hold its regional congress before or after the regional election, a leadership position coveted by Piero De Luca, son of the outgoing governor Vincenzo.