Italy’s governing coalition won Calabria’s by-election, with its candidate taking about 53% in a partial count, against roughly 10% for a nominee from Roberto Vannacci’s National Future and 35% for the centre-left. Turnout was 22%, down from 49.4% in 2022.
National Future, launched in February and led by former army general Vannacci, has reached around 9% in opinion polls, overtaking Meloni’s junior coalition partners. Analysts had predicted a stronger showing in conservative Reggio Calabria. YouTrend polling chief Lorenzo Pregliasco said Vannacci likely expected a better result given the low turnout, intense media attention and his personal backing.
Vannacci’s rise could complicate Meloni’s re-election prospects ahead of a general election due next year, though pollsters say she might retain power through an alliance with National Future. Forza Italia lawmaker Matilde Siracusano called such a pact “a serious problem” and said she would sue Vannacci over an AI-generated social-media image depicting her in a revealing top.
