Forza Italia candidate Fabio Roscioli has secured a decisive lead in the by-election for a parliamentary seat in the Reggio Calabria electoral district. With 384 out of 487 sections scrutined, Roscioli is leading with 52.47% of the vote, according to data from the Viminale’s Eligendo site.
The by-election was held to fill the seat vacated by Francesco Cannizzaro of Forza Italia, who was elected mayor of the city in the spring. The voting process involved approximately 70 municipalities, recording a final turnout of 22.34%, a significant decrease from the 49.40% recorded four years ago when voting occurred in a single day.
https://x.com/robertoocchiuto/status/2104576673404649590
Election Results and Standings
Following center-right candidate Roscioli, the results show Francesco Antonio Benedetto, the “wide field” candidate, at 36.11%. Domenico Giannetta of Futuro Nazionale follows with 10.04%, while Francesco Toscano for Democrazia Sovrana Popolare holds 1.37%.
Earlier in the count, with 263 sections processed, Roscioli held a 53.62% lead over Benedetto, who was at 36.04%, while Giannetta stood at 9.02% and Toscano at 1.32%.
Reactions from Political Leaders
Antonio Tajani, the vice premier and leader of Forza Italia, stated that the party “stravince” (wins big) in the by-elections, noting that Roscioli led the center-right to victory. Tajani described the result as confirmation of the party’s strength and “radicamento” (rooting) among the people, affirming that Forza Italia remains a pillar of the center-right coalition created by Berlusconi.
Premier Giorgia Meloni congratulated Roscioli on social media, asserting that the center-right remains united and has imposed itself over the “campo larghissimo” of the opposition. Meloni noted that the vote rewards a “compact, rooted coalition” capable of speaking to local territories.
Other figures celebrating the result include Roberto Occhiuto, president of the region, and Mayor Francesco Cannizzaro. Craxi characterized Roscioli's victory as a "net result," attributing the center-right's health in Calabria to the regional government and city administration.