Thursday, May 28Thursday, May 28Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition defies expectations in Italy’s partial municipal elections, securing key victories in Venice and Reggio Calabria and bolstering her position ahead of autumn parliamentary polls. The centre-right alliance, led by Meloni’s Brothers of Italy (FdI), captured Venice with 20.12% of the vote—despite trailing the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) at 24.84%—as local civic lists split the opposition’s support, according to *La Repubblica* . In Reggio Calabria, the coalition’s outright win marks a sharp reversal from recent left-leaning referendums, with analysts calling the results a "lifeline" for Meloni’s national government, *Libération* reports .
Polling data underscores the coalition’s resilience. A Tecnè survey conducted on 21-22 May projects FdI at 29% for the European Parliament elections, a two-point lead over the PD (22%), while the far-right League (7%) and Forza Italia (9%) hold steady . The left-wing Five Star Movement (M5S) stagnates at 13%, with the Greens/Left Alliance (AVS) at 6%. Smaller centrist parties, including Azione and Italia Viva, hover at 3%, reflecting a fragmented opposition. Similar trends emerge in Termometro Politico and SWG polls, with FdI consistently above 28% and the PD unable to close the gap sources.
The municipal results contrast with earlier predictions of a leftist surge, particularly after the PD’s success in last month’s justice reform referendum. *Courrier International* describes Venice’s outcome as a "slap in the face" for progressives, who failed to capitalize on local grievances over tourism taxes and housing crises . *Der Standard* notes that Meloni’s coalition has "postponed its downfall," with the autumn parliamentary elections now shaping up as a referendum on her leadership .
Looking ahead, the coalition’s performance in larger cities like Venice—where the PD’s historic stronghold in the city centre held but failed to offset losses elsewhere—suggests Meloni’s strategy of consolidating right-wing support is paying dividends. However, the PD’s ability to retain 22-23% in national polls indicates a ceiling for the centre-right, leaving room for a potential leftist resurgence if opposition parties can unify. The European Parliament elections in June 2024 will serve as the next major test, with FdI’s dominance in Italy likely to strengthen Meloni’s influence in Brussels’ conservative bloc.
Italy, Tecnè poll: FdI-ECR: 29 PD-S&D: 22 M5S-LEFT: 13 FI-EPP: 9 LEGA-PfE: 7 AVS-LEFT|G/EFA: 6 FN-ESN: 3 Azione-RE: 3 IV-RE: 3 (+1) +E-RE: 2 (+1) NM-EPP: 1 +/- vs. 13-15 May 2026 Fieldwork: 21-22 May 2026 Sample size: 1,000 ➤ europeelects.eu/italy
telegram bot · 2 days ago
En Italie, les élections municipales partielles apportent de loxygène à Giorgia Meloni La gauche pensait renouveler son succès du référendum sur la réforme de la justice, mais lunion droite-extrême droite, au pouvoir au niveau national, résiste et remporte les villes de Venise et Reggio de Calabre, lundi 25 mai.
liberation · 2 days ago
A year ahead of the French presidential election, where do candidates stand? The first round of the French presidential election is just a year away, and a new poll gives an idea of where things stand. French far-right Jordan Bardella comes in a comfortable first, while far-left Jean-Luc Mélenchon and right-wing Edouard Philippe tie in second place. The race is very much tightening for whoever will face the National Rally in the second round. FRANCE 24s Marc Perelman tells us more.
france24 · 2 days ago
A Venezia la vittoria è tutta di Venturini. I partiti del centrodestra insieme restano sotto al Pd Lanalisi del voto. FdI, Lega e FI hanno raccolto il 20,12, i dem da soli hanno raggiunto il 24,84. Il centro storico della città si è confermato roccaforte del centrosinistra, bocciata la tassa sul turismo
corriere · 2 days ago
Germany, Forsa poll: AfD-ESN: 27 (-1) CDU/CSU-EPP: 22 GRÜNE-G/EFA: 15 (+1) SPD-S&D: 12 LINKE-LEFT: 11 FDP-RE: 4 BSW-NI: 3 +/- vs. 12-18 May 2026 Fieldwork: 19-22 May 2026 Sample size: 2,002 ➤ europeelects.eu/germany
telegram bot · 2 days ago
Three-way race tests Colombias shifting political order A leftist senator, a far-right flamboyant provocateur and a conservative dynast vie to define the countrys next chapter as Colombians head to the polls on May 31.
intellinews · 2 days ago
Der Sturz von Giorgia Meloni ist vorerst verschoben Bei den Kommunalwahlen in Italien hat die Rechtskoalition von Giorgia Meloni überraschend gut abgeschnitten. Was bedeutet das für die Parlamentswahlen im Herbst?
der standard · 2 days ago
En Italie, la droite conserve Venise aux municipales et conforte Giorgia Meloni En Italie, les résultats du premier tour des élections municipales, organisées dans plus de 700 communes à travers le pays, sont marqués par la victoire de la droite et de lextrême droite à Venise. Un revers important pour le centre gauche, qui espérait reprendre cette ville stratégique et capitale régionale, alors que plusieurs sondages lui étaient favorables.
rfi.fr · 2 days ago
French poll sees far-right Bardella winning, far-left Mélenchon surging in 2027 election Poll shows Bardella narrowly beating former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe in a runoff.
politico.eu · 2 days ago
Italy, Termometro Politico poll: FdI-ECR: 28 PD-S&D: 22 M5S-LEFT: 13 (+1) FI-EPP: 8 LEGA-PfE: 7 AVS-LEFT|G/EFA: 6 FN-ESN: 4 Azione-RE: 3 IV-RE: 2 +E-RE: 2 DSP~NI: 1 NM-EPP: 1 +/- vs. 12-14 May 2026 Fieldwork: 19-21 May 2026 Sample size: 2,400 ➤ europeelects.eu/italy
telegram bot · 2 days ago
Bluff dans la lagune : à Venise, une grosse claque pour la gauche aux municipales Lundi 25 mai, contrairement aux prévisions, les élections municipales dans la cité des Doges ont encore une fois débouché sur une victoire de la droite. Cette grande désillusion laisse de nombreuses questions en suspens pour le camp progressiste.
courrier international · 2 days ago
Italy, SWG poll: FdI-ECR: 28 (-1) PD-S&D: 23 (+1) M5S-LEFT: 13 FI-EPP: 7 (-1) AVS-LEFT|G/EFA: 7 LEGA-PfE: 6 FN-ESN: 4 Azione-RE: 4 IV-RE: 3 (+1) +E-RE: 1 NM-EPP: 1 +/- vs. 13-18 May 2026 Fieldwork: 20-25 May 2026 Sample size: 1,200 ➤ europeelects.eu/italy
telegram bot · 2 days ago