The Race for the Presidency of Avellino Province: A Two-Way Contest

The presidency of the Province of Avellino is currently a two-way race between the incumbent, Rizieri Buonopane, and challenger Fausto Picone. Following the final submission of candidacies, the Electoral Office of the Province of Avellino confirmed the contest, which will decide the leadership at Palazzo Caracciolo, according to Il Mattino.

Who are the candidates?

The election features two primary contenders, both serving as mayors within the province. Rizieri Buonopane is the outgoing president, while Fausto Picone serves as the mayor of Candida. Picone is also a significant provincial figure associated with the ‘Casa Riformista’ group and leads the ‘Proposta civica per l’Irpinia’ group within the provincial council at Piazza Libertà, as reported by Il Mattino.

Support and Candidacy Details

The submission of candidacies concluded in mid-May 2026. According to reports from Il Mattino, supporters of Buonopane, the mayor of Montella, claim to have gathered over 400 signatures, exceeding the minimum requirement of 197. Picone’s candidacy is supported by 576 signatures. The Electoral Office is tasked with reviewing these filings and the validity of the supporting signatures to finalize the official numbers.

Political Dynamics within the Democratic Party

Buonopane enters this election facing internal friction. A long-standing conflict within the provincial Democratic Party (PD) has persisted since his previous election in December 2021. While provincial secretary Marco Santo Alaia initially issued a statement granting Democratic administrators freedom of choice, the party’s national organization manager, Igor Taruffi, later expressed support for Buonopane, describing his candidacy as a “positive choice,” as noted by Il Mattino.

Key Takeaways

• Election Format: The provincial presidency is a second-level election, where only mayors and municipal councillors are eligible to vote.
• The Contenders: The contest is between incumbent Rizieri Buonopane and challenger Fausto Picone.
• Official Status: As of mid-May 2026, the Electoral Office of the Province of Avellino is finalizing the review of signatures and candidate eligibility.
• Party Stance: The Democratic Party’s provincial leadership has shown divisions, though national figures have moved to endorse the incumbent’s bid.

About Avellino

Avellino is a city and municipality in the Campania region of Italy, serving as the capital of the province of the same name. It is situated in a plain surrounded by mountains, approximately 47 kilometers east of Naples. The city is a key transit hub between Salerno and Benevento, with a population recorded at 54,515 as of March 2017, according to Wikipedia.