Ritorno al centro di gravità. Le elezioni regionali in Puglia, tra candidati sicuri e riconferma del bipolarismo

Apulian regional elections, held in September 2020, saw a slight increase in participation despite the containment measures and Emiliano’s reelection as centre-left President of the Region. His main competitor, Fitto, was supported by a centre-right coalition reunited after a decade of internal fragmentation. The Five star movement’s defeat sealed the overcoming of a tripolar political system, as it emerged in the previous elections, for the sake of a return to bipolarism, also favoured by a peculiar electoral law. Emiliano’s reelection thus paves the way for a twenty-year centre-left regional leadership. The electoral competition was mainly conducted virtually and on the social media, even more so because of the containment provisions. The most recurring issues were of regional nature, among which the Covid-19 management and disagreements with the central government enjoyed a specific focus. Nevertheless, this did not disadvantage the incumbent president; indeed, he enjoyed unscheduled exposure and more electoral support.