Meloni coalition wins Venice mayoral vote, defying polls
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's coalition won the Venice mayoral election, defying recent polling predictions. Centre-right candidate Simone Venturini secured nearly 51% of the vote, avoiding a runoff against his main opponent. This victory comes as a significant turnaround for Meloni's government following a recent defeat in a justice referendum.
- ▪Meloni's coalition retained control of Venice in the mayoral election.
- ▪Simone Venturini won nearly 51% of the vote, defeating his main opponent who received 39%.
- ▪This election was the first electoral test for Meloni's government since a setback in March.
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Meloni coalition wins Venice mayoral vote, defying pollsSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished May 26, 2026, 02:44 AMUpdated May 26, 2026, 02:44 AMROME, May 25 - Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition won the Venice mayoral election, projections showed on Monday, retaining control of the most prominent city at stake in a round of local votes held across Italy.Polling took place in more than 600 towns and cities in the first electoral test for the government since a bruising defeat in a justice referendum in March, a setback for Meloni that marked her most significant reversal since taking power in 2022.Venice - where controversy flared in recent weeks over Russia's presence at the Biennale Art Festival - has been governed by the right for the past…
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