The first summer weekend of 2024, with temperatures in Puglia likely to exceed 35 degrees, coincides with the elections for the renewal of the European Parliament and for the choice of the future mayor in some municipalities such as Bari and Lecce, scheduled for 8 and June 9th. According to pollsters and political scientists, this election could go down in history for one negative figure: a turnout of less than 50 percent for the first time. With a greater extension especially in the South and among young people.
Electoral card, everything you need to know to renew it or get a new one in Bari
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And good weather can have a greater influence on the propensity to abstention, when a considerable portion of the population chooses to give up voting. In Puglia, there are 62 municipalities interested in the administrative elections, of which 12 with a population exceeding the threshold of 15 thousand inhabitants, in which voting will take place with the double-round majority electoral system. In Bari, 345 polling stations will be open in all the municipalities, with opening hours from Saturday 8 June from 3pm to 11pm and Sunday 9 June from 7am to 11pm. Therefore it will not be possible to vote on Saturday morning, and then go to the localities maritime and enjoy the weekend.
The risk, as has already happened in the past, is to see long queues at the polls when returning from days spent on the beach, from late afternoon until Sunday evening. Meanwhile, the weather forecasts leave no doubt: “It’s a real anticipation of summer – explains Rai Meteo meteorologist Alex Guarini – the North African anticyclone is strengthening, with the first heat wave and temperatures above seasonal averages.
Up to 37 degrees in the Foggia area, in Bari no more than 32 degrees. But it will be very hot. The peak is expected on Sunday, but the sky will be cloudy at times, without the risk of rain. It is very likely that many will be tempted by the desire for the sea”, he concludes ironically.
