The local elections in Sicily will take on an interpretation destined to worsen relations between the political forces. Usually the domino effect is shielded by the local nature of the vote, broken down into electoral courtyards that circumscribe variables and tactics. Not this time. And not only because the test involves almost a million Sicilians, or because three provincial capitals and other “sentinel” municipalities are at stake, reliable in smelling the wind.
The center-right is the most exposed to the crossroads of the winds of the polls. So much so that governor Schifani has withdrawn from the electoral campaign, aware that the day after the vote he will be the target of snipers. But this time it won’t be the usual ambush, plotted several times on the Ars by the snipers of its majority. Any defeats in the center-right strongholds will become poisoned arrows to be thrown openly at the President of the Region. A disguised verdict will also emerge from the polls which will have an almost referendum value on his government. Schifani has aired his re-nomination, but would be ready to give way in the face of an alternative forged in his image and likeness, the “Marcello Caruso” model, promoted to health councilor.
The administrative crossroads will be the litmus test to measure his ambitions. And on the bank of the river there are precisely his party enemies, more insidious and aggressive than the allies who harbor in the League and in Fratelli d’Italia, against whom Schifani can flaunt iron alibis. Starting from the councilors burdened by judicial shadows.
Those who have little to lose, however, are the so-called “Large Field”, an immature coalition that has rooted its connections in the mandatory alternative. More of a straitjacket than an alliance founded on solid and coherent programmatic paths. In this context, the regional secretary of the Democratic Party, Barbagallo, risks getting burned on the gridiron. A poor result for his party will give new life to the bellicose impulses of his internal adversaries, lined up to unseat him. And perhaps this time it won’t be enough to shelter under Elly Schlein’s umbrella.