This year we are going back to the polls to elect six new governors, those of Campania, Marche, Puglia, Tuscany, Valle d'Aosta and Veneto. Of these, only two are affected by the problem of a third term: Vincenzo De Luca in Campania and Luca Zaia.
In theory, Michele Emiliano's Puglia would also be included in the count of regional presidents who have already completed two terms, but Emiliano himself has announced his intention to step aside to ensure generational change.
The case of Lombardy and Friuli Venezia Giulia is different: two regions where the problem of a third mandate could arise given that both Attilio Fontana and Massimiliano Fedriga are completing their second term as president.
But the topic is definitely premature because, in the absence of political crises, the two regions will go to the polls only in 2028. The Regions that will go to the polls in 2025, as mentioned, are six. Certainly the one most at the center of the controversy is Campania: the citizens will have to choose the successor of Vincenzo De Luca (Pd).
Also voting are Marche governed by Francesco Acquaroli (Brothers of Italy), Puglia led by Michele Emiliano (PD), Tuscany by Eugenio Giani (PD), the special region of Valle d'Aosta governed by Renzo Testolin (Union Valdôtaine), who took over from Erik Lavévaz (who resigned in 2023 following a major political crisis) and Veneto led by Luca Zaia (Lega).
The situation in Veneto is complex. Because, with a race that has already been underway for a year, the name of Luca Zaia is at stake, who at present would not be eligible for re-election to presidency number 3 in 2025. Formally, Luca Zaia is in his second consecutive office, because the regional law that introduced the limit of two uninterrupted mandates for elective offices - implementing the 2004 national law - was approved by the Veneto Council in 2012, effective from 2015, without prejudice to the mandate that was already in progress.
At that time, Zaia was in his first five-year term as president, after the plebiscite election of 2010. A possible re-candidacy – for the next legislature – would effectively open up the possibility for the Lega Nord representative to run for a fourth term as president of Veneto. Even in Valle d'Aosta, albeit in different forms, there is a heated debate about the term limit for top positions within the Regional Council.
The affair, in particular, concerns the current president of the Region, Renzo Testolin, and the vice president, Luigi Bertschy, both members of the Union valdotaine. The opposition forces maintain that, according to regional law 21/2007, both will not be able to hold positions in the next Council, even if elected (the vote is scheduled for September 2025). That is, at most they will have to "settle" for being a simple councilor. The presidency of the Regional Council has been brought to the attention of the affair.
Article published on 10 January 2025 - 20:30
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It is interesting to see how the current governors are preparing for the 2025 elections. The issue of mandates is complex and there are many factors to consider, especially in Veneto and Campania, where there are tensions.