Molise, because for the Five Stars the Regionals are like a cup final – Corriere.it

The Regionals in Molise are the last electoral test before the summer break. At the polling stations, open until 3 pm today, the turnout is low for now. At 11 pm it was 33.99% (in 2018, when the vote was held on Sunday, it was 52.17%). But for the parties, the duel in the region could influence the future. For the Five Stars in particular, these Regionals represent the most important challenge of 2023, comparable to a cup final for a football team. Why?

First, for the gubernatorial candidate. Roberto Gravina, face of the centre-left, a starred one. For the first time the coalition has bet on an M5S man. A non-negligible fact. Gravina, moreover, the current mayor of Campobasso, one of the few capitals still governed by the Movement. Any victory would have “historic” value both because the Five Stars have never triumphed in the Regionals and for future balances – especially in the South and on the islands – within the centre-left.

Secondly, the Movement after the disappointing results at the Administrative Courts, he has to demonstrate that he still has a bite. Especially in the South. In Molise the confrontation risks being traumatic. Here the Five Stars cannot say that they have no territorial roots. In 2018 alone they came close to the feat: the star candidate, Andrea Greco, obtained 38.5% against 43.46% of Donato Toma, who had all the center-right united on his side. . The M5S list stopped at 31.57%. Other times? Yes but not too much. The Giuseppe Conte-branded Movement was the first party in Molise in the latest Politiche.con 24.18%. He surpassed everyone. And that primacy must now be defended at the Regionals. Backing down would be something more than a simple defeat, especially after the thud recorded in the North.

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