In Liguria, the wide field must achieve consensus on a common candidate for the Regional elections, scheduled for late October, with an “ultimatum” issued for the second time by Andrea Orlando, approaching its deadline. The first response to this ultimatum comes from the most “structured” ally of the center-left, the 5 Star Movement. Luca Pirondini, who had been proposed as a candidate governor by the Movement in recent days, expressed his support for Orlando stating that his candidacy was the most widely shared option within the coalition. The Movement 5 Star has always focused its political action in the exclusive interest of citizens, even at the expense of its own legitimate interests as a political force, particularly in light of the mismanagement seen in Liguria under the previous administration, Pirondini adds.
The path to reach a shared candidate, uniting the left with alliances in the center and further left, seems long. Discussions are ongoing about the Regional candidacy and the leader of the Democratic Party, Elly Schlein, emphasized the importance of building a competitive coalition without imposing decisions from above. Orlando, whose candidacy seemed “natural” since the beginning of August, warned that if a decision is not reached soon, his candidacy will expire like yogurt. The Italy Viva party, allied with the center-right in Genoa, has not yet given its support to Orlando, causing Raffaella Paita, the former candidate for president in Liguria, to acknowledge that the lack of an established candidate across the political spectrum hinders constructive debate on key issues.
On the center-right side, several names are being considered for the Regional elections. The strongest contender is Edoardo Rixi, the deputy minister from the Lega party, who has not yet confirmed his candidacy. Rixi believes that the center-right candidate should not come from the current administration but should instead be someone who is rooted in the community. Other potential candidates on the center-right include Ilaria Cavo, a loyal supporter of Giovanni Toti, and Pietro Piciocchi, the deputy mayor of Genoa. The uncertainty regarding candidate nominations on both sides of the political spectrum is causing a delay in meaningful discussions on crucial issues facing the region.
The debate over a common candidate for the Liguria Regional elections reflects a broader challenge within the Italian political landscape. Andrea Orlando, supported by the 5 Star Movement, is emerging as a potential consensus candidate for the center-left coalition. However, without the backing of parties like Italy Viva, achieving unity remains a significant hurdle. The center-right is also grappling with the selection of a candidate, with various names being considered but no definitive decision made yet. The focus now is on building a competitive coalition that can address the pressing issues facing Liguria, such as health care, infrastructure, and environmental challenges.
The upcoming Regional elections in Liguria present an opportunity for a shift in leadership and governance that can address the needs and aspirations of the region’s residents. While the path to a consensus candidate may be challenging, it is crucial for the center-left and center-right alliances to work towards a common goal of offering the Ligurian population a government that is responsive and capable of addressing the region’s most pressing challenges. As discussions and negotiations continue, the focus should remain on building a coalition that puts the interests of the people at the forefront and promotes sustainable development and progress for Liguria as a whole.
