Meloni coalition secures fresh victory with re-election of Roberto Occhiuto.
Italy’s right-wing coalition government on Monday celebrated the re-election of centre-right Calabria governor Roberto Occhiuto in regional elections in the southern Calabria region.
Occhiuto, a member of deputy premier Antonio Tajani’s centre-right Forza Italia party, was on track to secure just under 60 per cent of the vote, according to initial projections, well ahead of his centre-left challenger Pasquale Tridico who was set to secure around 40 per cent.
Tajani hailed the election result on X, as a “victory of the united centre-right. For Calabria and its people”.
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni described Occhiuto’s victory as “an important result in recognition of the good governance that we will continue to carry forward for the wellbeing of the region and its citizens”.
The re-election of Occhiuto was also welcomed by deputy premier Matteo Salvini, leader of the right-wing Lega.
Anche in Calabria gli elettori hanno riposto la loro fiducia nella coalizione di centrodestra, confermando Roberto Occhiuto Presidente della Regione. Un risultato importante a riconoscimento dell’azione di buongoverno che continueremo a portare avanti per il benessere del… pic.twitter.com/JRRKRwbWeD
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) October 6, 2025
Occhiuto, 56, has been governor of Calabria since 2021 when he was appointed to the role following the sudden death of the region’s former governor Jole Santelli.
Occhiuto resigned unexpectedly in August after being put under investigation for alleged corruption.
He denied any wrongdoing, declaring his desire to run for office and leave it up to the Calabrians to decide.
Occhiuto received the backing of Meloni’s centre-right coalition, paving the way for a snap election.
Tridico, of the Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S), phoned Occhiuto to congratulate him on Monday afternoon.
“It was a short but intense battle” – he told reporters – “Occhiuto’s resignation, brought about opportunistically, took us by surprise. However, our response was strong, even knowing it was a difficult battle.”
Occhiuto’s re-election, which was widely expected, is a fresh boost to Meloni’s government following the re-election last week of Francesco Acquaroli, the centre-right governor of Marche.
Meloni’s coalition governs 14 out of 20 Italian regions and has won several regional elections since coming to power almost three years ago, as well as losing to the centre-left in Sardinia, Umbria and Emilia-Romagna last year.
Next weekend will see further regional elections in Tuscany, with voters going to the polls in Campania, Puglia and Veneto at the end of November.
