Voting or Not Voting? The Great Italian Mystery in Liguria!
Well, well, well! It seems like we’re at it again! Another round of elections in Liguria, and the usual suspects have emerged victorious. But before you get your “I love democracy” T-shirts embroidered, let’s take a closer look at what really happened!
The Party of Abstention: Now That’s a Campaign Strategy!
If you were expecting fireworks and political fanfare, you’ve come to the wrong place. The big winner this time around wasn’t just Marco Bucci of the centre-right—no, no, no! It was the party of abstentions. Imagine a political party whose manifesto reads: “We chose not to choose!” and, spoiler alert, they nabbed over 54% of the votes—er, I mean non-votes!
All hail the non-leader of this whimsical party, who delivered an emotional speech promising to do absolutely nothing for the next five years. The crowd erupted in cheers! Because who doesn’t love the idea of a politician who isn’t going to do any damage or cause a scandal? Remind me to vote for my couch next time!
Real Numbers, Real Issues
Now, let’s unpack this a bit. A stunning 45.9% of eligible voters actually bothered to show up. And with only a scant 0.5% separating Bucci and Orlando, it was less of a political campaign and more of a nail-biter of a soap opera! Will they, won’t they, win an election? Keep your popcorn handy!
But hold your horses—Bucci’s victory is anything but straightforward. The man has been mayor of Genoa and has had a bit of a health scare, leaving many scratching their heads. “What’s this? A candidate with a ‘metastatic tumor’? That’s a twist even the best novelists couldn’t script!” Yet he turned it around, claiming that the more he campaigns, the healthier he feels. Talk about hitting the campaign trail like a marathon runner! Who knew that political campaigning was the secret to a robust immune system? “Vote for me, and you might just shed a few pounds!”
The Elephant in the Room: Voter Turnout
Let’s discuss that turnout, shall we? It’s dropped to its lowest levels in decades, and analysts say it’s not pretty. Comparing numbers, in 2020 the turnout was a respectable 53%, in 2015 it dropped to 50%, and now? A dismal 46%. Are you starting to sense a trend here? Indeed, it appears we’re watching the slow fade of genuine political engagement in the Italian landscape.
You have to wonder what’s causing this malaise. Fatigue from scandal, perhaps? Table shuffling within party ranks? Or maybe it’s just that voting has become a tedious affair, more akin to watching paint dry on a Sunday than exercising civic duty. As one observer aptly put it, politicians appear to roll out of their sarcophagi every five years, ask for votes, and then simply recede back into the ether. Groundbreaking!
Politics Without a Purpose
To make matters worse, it seems even party leaders aren’t particularly worried about getting people to vote, as the rise of abstentionism doesn’t exactly rain on their parade. With no one actively campaigning to *increase* voter turnout, we are essentially a car stuck in neutral on a hill. If you look closely, you might see a few bunnies hopping by, completely oblivious to the political carnage!
So, as the dust settles on these elections, we must consider the implications. A new governor with the backing of barely 25% of eligible voters is like trying to host a dinner party with a menu decided by people who aren’t even going to show up! How’s that for legitimacy?
Conclusion: A Call to Action or a Call to…Not Be Bothered?
If you’re wondering what’s next, well, the next episode of INMR Liguria airs Wednesday. Spoiler alert: it’s about politics! So buckle up, folks—as the only thing that’s certain is the promise of more political theatre, minus the audience. Because in Liguria, it seems apathy had a winning season!
Don’t forget to share this with your friends, enemies, and anyone who remotely cares about democracy—or, at least, about the *idea* of it!
All day Sunday and yesterday until 3pm, citizens participated in the regional elections in Liguria, witnessing once again the dominance of a single party. This party has not only consistently triumphed in regional elections but is also making significant strides in municipalities across the region, reflecting its growing clout at the national level as well.
A party lacking a well-defined electoral program, it appears to be united more by widespread disenchantment than by any authentic sense of belonging. To clarify, I am not referring to the Brothers of Italy (FdI), but rather to the so-called party of abstentions. This election cycle has seen this group garner over 54% of the non-votes, marking a significant achievement. The figurehead of the abstentions delivered a heartfelt speech, vowing not to undertake any initiatives over the next five years. This declaration was met with rapturous applause from an enthusiastic crowd, buoyed by the prospect of a politician committed to avoiding mistakes and scandals.
In summary, abstention emerged triumphant once more. While I may jest, there is a kernel of truth to my humor. Let’s get serious for a moment: only 45.9% of eligible voters turned out to cast their ballots, with the final contest tightly contested between the centre-right candidate Marco Bucci, who consolidated support from the entire right wing, and the leftist Orlando affiliated with the broad centre-left coalition comprising the Democratic Party (Pd), the Five Star Movement (M5S), and others.
Interestingly, there was no provision for a run-off; the candidate obtaining even a single vote more than their opponent emerged victorious, a rule that certainly played to the favor of the leading candidates while marginalizing smaller parties and their candidates.
When the dust settled, Marco Bucci, the centre-right contender, achieved a narrow victory with 48.8% of the votes, slightly edging out Orlando, who garnered 47.4%. The Post captures the essence of the newly elected regional president, describing Bucci as a seasoned politician with an intriguing background.
“At 65 years old, Bucci has been the mayor of Genoa—his hometown—since 2017, and was re-elected for a second term in 2022. Prior to entering politics, he enjoyed a lengthy career in the pharmaceutical industry. Within the centre-right realm, he was long viewed as the ideal successor to the former governor Toti. Recently, however, his health has taken a serious downturn due to a ‘metastatic tumor in the lymphatic glands of the neck’, making his candidacy a shocking development given the expectation that he would retire post-mayoral duties.”
Bucci’s win was somewhat unexpected. Reflecting on the political landscape, Matteo Macor from Repubblica noted, “Bucci’s mission appeared almost impossible: reclaim a right-wing victory in the Ligurian Regionals following the judicial fallout that engulfed the former governor.” He acknowledged that the challenge was magnified as Bucci had initially claimed, “I cannot accept the candidacy for governor; I don’t have the strength needed; I can’t mislead the voters.” Yet, as the campaign progressed, he found unexpected vigor.
“The more I campaign, the better I feel: working hard in the area strengthens my immune defenses,” he stated in response to inquiries about his health in recent days.
In terms of campaign strategy, Bucci emphasized action-oriented politics, portraying himself as the “man of action” against a party characterized by their consistent opposition to initiatives. Meanwhile, Orlando appeared to have suffered from internal coalition rifts, alongside a political career heavily entrenched in party dynamics rather than grassroots engagement. Orlando’s leadership within the Democratic Party has been marred by persistent internal struggles, making him seem detached from the everyday concerns of citizens.
However, it’s crucial to note that the distinction between victory and defeat is exceedingly thin in this case. The margin of less than 10,000 votes in a region with a population of 1.5 million, where over half did not participate, casts a long shadow. Indeed, the turnout figures reveal the stark reality: with the turnout plummeting to below 46%, this election saw the lowest participation in decades, down from 53% in 2020 and 50% in 2015.
The decline in voter engagement raises pressing questions. One might point to a broader trend in increasing abstentionism influenced by socio-cultural shifts, notably a gradual shift away from participatory models traditional in Europe towards a leadership-based model reminiscent of American politics, which often encourages lower levels of civic engagement.
Nonetheless, several European countries have witnessed a rebound in voter turnout in response to the rising right-wing populism, as seen in France and Germany. In Italy, however, the trend shows no signs of reversing. The reasons for this phenomenon remain elusive, with little substantial analysis forthcoming. Interestingly, party leaders appear relatively unconcerned. Since abstention does not penalize any political entity within a system where only percentages matter, there is little incentive to mobilize the electorate.
To provide further context, it’s worth noting that these elections were called an unprecedented advance following the resignation of Giovanni Toti, who faced corruption accusations in a significant investigation by Genoa’s prosecutor’s office. Instances of high-profile political scandals continue to accumulate and likely dissuade citizens from engaging with the political process.
Moreover, as Emanuela Sabidussi discussed in the most recent installment of INMR Liguria, many parties—including the centre-right—had not disclosed their electoral programs until mere days before the elections, raising questions about their seriousness and accountability.
The unique political landscape in Liguria may have played a pivotal role as well, particularly the divisive dynamics within the M5S, spatially embodied by the ongoing tensions between Giuseppe Conte and Beppe Grillo. Notably, Grillo, hailing from Liguria, reportedly abstained from voting at the polling station to which he is registered, despite the M5S’s ostensible support for Orlando, the centre-left candidate.
The M5S’s performance this election cycle starkly illustrates its declining influence. It fell from capturing 25% of the vote in 2015 when it fielded an independent candidate, to merely 5% now. The ebbing support can be partly attributed to votes shifting to other parties, but a significant portion may have simply opted for abstention.
This newly developed cynicism towards politics can largely be attributed to the predatory attitudes displayed by some politicians. As comedian Dario Vergassola humorously remarked, “They emerge from their sarcophagi every five years, solicit votes, and then retreat.” Public fatigue over political play-acting is palpable.
Hence, it is abundantly clear, despite politicians’ attempts to downplay it, that abstention is a critical issue. Honest discussions surrounding this topic would require a recognition that in a majority-based electoral system, the absence of a majority—especially one that abstains from voting—challenges the legitimacy of any government formed. Consequently, Bucci’s administration will represent a political agenda supported by less than a quarter of the voting population. In fact, only 290,000 out of 1.5 million residents endorsed Bucci.
While I may sound repetitive, the inadequacies of majoritarian systems become apparent, as they require a semblance of legitimacy through a majority which, if unachievable, renders the political process theatrical.
On that note, be assured that the new episode of INMR Liguria will be released next Wednesday, featuring Emanuela Sabidussi discussing this topic at length. Should you desire further insights, I encourage you to tune in.
