The vote in Florence: in any case it will be unprecedented
(Giorgio Bernardini) The spotlight is on Palazzo Vecchio, where the result of the ballot is a “national test” for the parties. The fight is between the candidate of the centre-left coalition, Sara Funaro (Pd), and the civic candidate supported by the centre-right, Eike Schmidt. In any case it will be unprecedented: a first mayor or the victory of the center-right at Palazzo Vecchio.
Funaro, outgoing councilor and nephew of the mayor of the flood, Piero Bargellini, enters the duel 10 points ahead of her opponent (43% to 33%, just under 19 thousand votes behind) and of the endorsements of the former candidate of Italia viva, Stefania Saccardi (7.3%), and that of the M5S, Lorenzo Masi (3.3%). No relation for her. Her challenger, the former director of the Uffizi who now heads the Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte (on leave), has concluded a partnership with Francesca Marrazza of the RiBella Firenze civic list (0.5%). No indication of vote from Firenze Democratica, the list of former dem councilor Cecilia Del Re (6.2%), nor from Dmitrij Palagi of Sinistra Progetto Comune (5.4%), who have already announced their intention to remain in opposition.
There had been no run-off elections in Florence since 2009, when he was elected Matteo Renzi. This time, the former prime minister attempted to challenge the Democratic Party with his own candidate – Saccardi – with whom Iv was in the city government until a few days ago. However, he was not rewarded by the vote: now the former scrap dealer is no longer decisive. The art historian hopes for a sensational comeback, it would be the first time for a centre-right mayor.
After the meeting with the Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, Schmidt launched a proposal for the construction of the new Franchi stadium and promised insurance paid by the Municipality to reimburse the Florentines who are victims of the growing cases of petty crime. Funaro raised the appeal to vote “against the worst right” also to avoid the specter of abstentionism. To close the campaign, Funaro welcomed the PD secretary, Elly Schlein, back to Piazza Santissima Annunziata. Schmidt closed without the big names of the parties, with an aperitif and an appeal to vote in a place in the Cascine park.
