Millions of Italians were going to the polls on Sunday to cast their votes in local elections for new mayors and town councilors, a ballot that could prove a litmus test for Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
The elections—held in 1,300 cities including Rome and Milan—come at a delicate time for Mr. Renzi, whose popularity has sagged amid a timid economic recovery, a simmering banking crisis and an uptick in migration flows.
A strong showing for the anti-establishment 5 Star Movement would add to the wave of popularity across Europe for upstart parties, which have won over voters frustrated with the political mainstream in many recent elections.
The main battleground on Sunday is Rome, where locals are seeking new leadership capable of pulling the Italian capital out of a morass of corruption, disastrous management and political upheaval. The city has been under special administration since former Mayor Ignazio Marino, a fellow member of Mr. Renzi’s Democratic Party, resigned in October last year over expenses irregularities.
Mr. Renzi has distanced himself from a race that bodes ill for his party.
In Rome, the Democratic Party has been weakened by a string of political scandals and by a major criminal investigation that uncovered ties between organized crime and City Hall officials.
Widespread disaffection in the capital for traditional parties has supported a surge for the 5 Star Movement, founded by comedian-turned-politician Beppe Grillo. The group’s candidate, Virginia Raggi, has consistently led the polls, with her center-left rival Roberto Giachetti trailing behind. The two have put forth competing proposals to solve the capital’s chronic problems: suffocating traffic, overflowing trash bins and debilitating debt.
Victory for Ms. Raggi would deal a major blow to Mr. Renzi, giving the 5 Star Movement a major opportunity to prove its ability to govern. A successful test in running Rome would boost the movement’s chances at the next national elections.
A defeat in Rome would be even more painful for the Democratic Party if the party performs poorly in Milan, where the center-left candidate, Giuseppe Sala, is a close ally of Mr. Renzi. In pre-election polls, Mr. Sala has been neck-and-neck with center-right rival Stefano Parisi.
Pollsters suggest that in major cities, including Rome, a second round of voting will be needed to elect new mayors. If no candidate secures at least 50% of the vote, runoffs will be held on June 19.
A poor showing by the Democratic Party in local elections would cast a shadow over a constitutional referendum Mr. Renzi has called for October. That vote is on a plan to simplify Italy’s tortuous legislative process, reduce the Senate’s powers and ensure more stable governments. Mr. Renzi has staked his government on a positive outcome from the referendum, promising to resign if it fails. That could pave the way for early elections next year.
“A negative outcome of the referendum would not only end Renzi’s tenure but also throw Italy into uncharted waters,” said Wolfango Piccoli, co-president at London-based research company Teneo Intelligence.
By: Giada Zampano (WSJ, Rome).
Photo: Politico (Europe).
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