Regional Council Seats Sparkโข Competition in Taranto Province
TARANTO, ITALY – A scramble for regional council seats is intensifying in the province of Taranto as potential candidates from across the political spectrum begin positioning themselves for the upcoming elections. the contest promises a reshuffling of โrepresentation for the area, withโ both established figures and new faces vying for influence in Bari.
The upcoming regional elections are critical for Taranto, a province โคgrappling with industrial challenges and environmental concerns.The composition of the regional council will directly impact policy decisionsโ affecting local industries, environmental remediation efforts, and economic advancement initiatives. Several current and former regional councilors โare considering bids, alongside city officials andโฃ representatives from various parties, setting theโ stage for aโ competitive race.
On the center-left,outgoing councilors Enzo Di Gregorio and donato Pentassuglia (both Democratic Party) are potential candidates. Current councilor Mino Borraccino (Pd) is also expected to โseek re-election. Michele Mazzarano, another outgoing councilor, may pursue a candidacy outside the Democratic Party. City councilor Francesco What, regional vice president Francesca โคViggiano, and Taranto Vice Mayor Mattia Day (Pd) are also considered potential contenders. Taranto โคCity Council โขPresident Gianni Liviano (Demos), a former regional councilor, is also weighing โฃa run, as is current regional councilor Gianfranco Lopane, potentially representing a separate movement. The 5Stelle โMovement will finalize its candidateโ selection in the coming days, with Gianni Azzaro and Giampiero Mancarelli – both former Democratic โคParty members – as possible nominees, though a third term for Marco Galante is considered โunlikely.
The center-right is also actively identifying candidates, with Renato Perrini (Fratelli โขd’Italia), Massimiliano di Cuia (Forza Italia), Antonio Scalera, and Giacomo Conserva (Lega) emerging as frontrunners. Massimiliano Stellato, recently switching from the center-left to Forza Italia, is also โin the mix. New proposals include city councilorโ Giampaolo Vietri and lawyer matilde Percolla (both Fratelli d’Italia).