Italy’s biggest cities head to polls for mayoral elections

12 million people in Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Bologna, and dozens of other Italian cities are heading to the polls on 3 and 4 October to elect mayors and city councils.

Turnout at midday Sunday barely reached 13% among eligible voters, data released by the interior minister shows.

Two MP spots are also up for grabs in Siena and Rome. All eyes are on Rome, where 21 candidates are running for mayorship.

According to the polls, former Economy Minister Roberto Gualtieri (centre-left), radio personality Enrico Michetti (centre-right), current mayor Virginia Raggi (5 Star Movement), and centrist entrepreneur Carlo Calenda are the four key runner-ups, with Gualtieri and Michetti having a greater chance of winning.

However, the winner will most likely be chosen in a second round of elections held from 17-18 October.

Things are clearer in Milan, the country’s main financial centre, where incumbent centre-left mayor Beppe Sala – who is backed by the Democratic Party, the Greens, the Radicals and several smaller centrists parties – is highly favoured to be re-elected, perhaps even in the first round.

(Viola Stefanello | EURACTIV.it)