There is only one week until the May 24 and 25 local elections, in which about six million Italians will vote to elect mayors in approximately 750 municipalities. This is a big political event that involves strategic cities such as Venice, Reggio Calabria, Salerno, Lecco, Mantua, Arezzo, Pistoia, Prato, Fermo, Macerata, and Crotone. It also serves as a new test for the majority and opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections. National attention is mostly centered on Venice and Reggio Calabria. The center-left is attempting to retake the Veneto capital, with Democratic Party Senator Andrea Martella facing Simone Venturini, a councilor in the Brugnaro administration and the center-right candidate. Meanwhile, in Reggio Calabria, the center-right is aiming to reclaim control of the city from the center-left by nominating Forza Italia MP Francesco Cannizzaro against Domenico Battaglia, the acting mayor after Giuseppe Falcomatà was elected to the Regional Council. One of the most keenly followed elections is in Salerno, where Vincenzo De Luca is running for a fifth term as mayor, supported by seven civic lists, while the center-left is divided. Crotone's departing mayor, Vincenzo Voce, is running again with the support of a united center-right.
In the North, the focus is on Lecco and Mantua, both of which are ruled by the center-left and must decide whether to confirm or reject their progressive leadership. Elections are currently taking place in Arezzo, Pistoia, and Prato, with the latter returning to the polls following the resignation of mayor Ilaria Bugetti due to a corruption investigation.