the hot names on the lists –

We are now here, at 8pm on Wednesday 1 May the deadline for submitting candidacies for the next European elections has expired. We remind you that we will vote on 8 and 9 June. Leaders, independents, well-known names, vote catchers, and a few last minute surprises. As announced, the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, “known as Giorgia”, is leading the Fratelli d’Italia lists. In the Center you will face Elly Schlein directly, who has left the top spot to Stefano Bonaccini (North East), Cecilia Strada (North West) and Lucia Annunziata (South). But also with Carlo Calenda, with Matteo Renzi (candidate not at the top of the list in 4 constituencies) and with the deputy prime minister, Antonio Tajani. However, Matteo Salvini will not run, who fields General Roberto Vannacci at the Center.

The situation of Marco Rizzo’s Pensions & Work European Awakening and Sovereign and Popular Democracy is more complex, as they filed the lists even without the necessary signatures and have already announced appeals. An opposition to the Court of Cassation would have already been presented by Alternativa Popolare of the mayor of Terni Stefano Bandecchi: it had the green light from the Court of Appeal of Naples but not from that of Rome. Cateno De Luca also presented himself in all the constituencies with the Libertà list.

In FdI there is Vittorio Sgarbi, candidate for the South. In the Center are Nicola Procaccini, co-president of the Ecr Group in the European Parliament, Francesco Torselli, Marco Squarta, Civita Di Russo and Marco Ciccioli. In the Democratic Party Elly Schlein will lead the list in the Center and in the Islands. In the South the list will instead be led by Lucia Annunziata, followed by the outgoing mayor of Bari, Antonio Decaro. In the Centre, the names of Nicola Zingaretti, Camilla Laureti and the former director of Avvenire, Marco Tarquinio are confirmed with the mayors Dario Nardella and Matteo Ricci.

For the M5s Pasquale Tridico, former president of INPS and supporter of citizenship income, is the leader in the South. Former footballer Carolina Morace will lead the Five Star Movement in central Italy. Giuseppe Antoci is at the top of the Grilline lists in the Islands while Ugo Biggeri and the outgoing Sabrina Pignedoli will be at the helm in the North-East constituency.

The League. Vannacci is present in all the constituencies and at the top of the list in the South and Centre. Susanna Ceccardi, Anna Bonfrisco and Mario Abruzzese are also candidates in the center. In the North East, Paolo Borchia and Anna Maria Cisint, mayor of Monfalcone. Forza Italia-Noi Moderati, Antonio Tajani will be the leader in all constituencies. In the North West, Letizia Moratti, Massimiliano Salini and Paolo Damilano are running. As announced for the Green-Left Alliance, Ilaria Salis is the leader in the North West and in the Islands. At the Center Ignazio Marino and Cristian Raimo and Marilena Grassadonia. In the South, the leader is Mimmo Lucano, former mayor of Riace.

United States of Europe: Matteo Renzi is present in four constituencies. Emma Bonino tops the list in the North West: Alessandro Cecchi Paone is also there. In the South, the leaders are Enzo Maraio, national secretary of the socialist party, then Sandra Lonardo, wife of Clemente Mastella, and Marco Zambruto, son-in-law of Totò Cuffaro. Action: in the North East the leader Cuno Tarfusser, magistrate, Carlo Calenda and Elena Bonetti will be on the list in all constituencies. In the North East constituency the former mayor of Parma Federico Pizzarotti.