Former National Politicians Vie for Mayoral Seats in Italy's 2026 Local Elections

Italy's upcoming 2026 municipal elections are seeing a notable trend: former national politicians are returning to local politics, seeking to become mayors of their hometowns. This phenomenon includes figures who previously held significant roles in national government and parliament, now aiming to lead at the municipal level.

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I understood, I'll stop you right away: I'm not stepping down because I'm leaving Rome. On the contrary, I will increase my responsibilities.

Giuseppe Castiglione, after a stint in the "Azione" party and rejoining Forza Italia, intends to run for mayor of Bronte in Catania. He previously served as an undersecretary, Forza Italia's coordinator in Sicily, and a Member of the European Parliament. Castiglione plans to resign from his parliamentary seat, stating, "My city comes before anything else."

David Ermini, who served as the second-highest official at the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM) from 2018 to 2023 and was previously a Democratic Party (PD) parliamentarian, is running for mayor of Figline Valdarno. He describes his candidacy as an "act of love," motivated by a desire to give back after receiving much in life.

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My city comes before anything else.

Giovanni Legnini, Ermini's predecessor at the CSM and a former PD exponent who also served as a commissioner for earthquake recovery, is seeking the mayoral position in Chieti. He stated he accepted the call to serve his city with "passion and a spirit of service," echoing the sentiment of returning to one's roots.

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A minister told me: after being vice-president of that CSM, the one from the Palamara scandal, you are ready for anything. And so here we are.

These candidacies are presented not as a step down, but as a return driven by deep-seated passion for their local communities. The article suggests that while some may see it as a return to their "wild native village," for these politicians, it represents a continuation of their public service, albeit at a different level.

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They asked me to run as mayor: mine is an act of love, in life I have received so much, I had to be generous.