Regional elections: the Democratic Party is already casting its lot in the cabinet. Many big names are gone, while Schlein's camp gains traction.

Florence, September 25, 2025 – The polls are so promising that the Democratic Party is already grappling with the government pool and plenty of stomach aches. It's a given that Eugenio Giani will win over Alessandro Tomasi, but the 18% increase in the number of candidates in the constituency gives the Democrats a little leeway to polish their abacus and equip themselves with rulers. With the polls now closed, a massive cabinet reshuffle is already underway , with the eight incumbents of Giani I having been dismissed. The two Stefanos, Ciuoffo (Prato) and Baccelli (Lucca), have been dismissed. Serena Spinelli (Florence) will face the same treatment, barring a surge in votes in the Mugello constituency.

Meanwhile, Alessandra Nardini (Pisa) is already ready to change sides, from Schlein's penalty area kicker to impartial referee as president of the regional council. Given the strain, there's no way more. And the other Pisan, Antonio Mazzeo? Either a position as president of a commission or a bridging mandate as regional councilor (assuming the Democratic Party, under special administration, manages to secure two seats in Pisa) with the proviso that he run for mayor of Pisa after Michele Conti's 10-year tenure. His arrival in the Giani II government is unlikely. Also because the council will no longer be two-party (Democratic Party-Italia Viva). The broader picture presupposes three of the eight seats to be divided between the Five Star Movement, Avs, and the Casa Riformista list.

Now the Democratic Party is playing a game of risk, under the banner of the new direction dictated by Via Forlanini: five councilors, four from Schlein's camp and one from the reformist camp. Piana is safe with its return without competing with voters and without exceptions for Monia Monni. Likewise, Maremma is safe with the reappointment of Leonardo Marras, protected by Giani, except for one caveat. A reformist for a reformist: a one-year term before running for mayor of Grosseto in 1926, losing to Brenda Barnini from Empoli.

Here, a waltz of territories and currents unfolds. Pistoia would triumph with Bernard Dika appointed as undersecretary, Livorno would redeem Costa with a council position contested by the return of Cristina Grieco (formerly councilor for Education in Rossi II) or the territorial secretary Alessandro Franchi. Is Prato safe with Matteo Biffoni? "Not a chance," whisper the Schleinians, ready to promote parts of the regional secretariat. The faithful former Prato councilor Diego Blasi, the councilor with accordion-like responsibilities in Palazzo Vecchio, Andrea Giorgio (Florence). Or Fossi's deputy from Siena, Stefania Lio. From Via Forlanini, they deny it , but never lay their cards on the table prematurely .

The other Sienese, Simone Bezzini, is instead seen as "in free fall," despite Giani himself still having to be convinced. There's little hope for Massa; Gianni Lorenzetti, on the blocked list, has already saved the goat of local representativeness and the cabbages of a council group that is destined to shrink from 22 to 16 members. But who knows if he'll end up in the council? Those who are disappointed will always have the group leader slot to fill. There's little doubt about Conte's Irene Galletti (also from Pisa, with an exemption for her third term). There's less doubt about Avs. The possibility of former Arezzo councilor Francesco Romizi is hot. That 'Green' quota is convenient for the Italian Left to limit Lorenzo Falchi's aspirations to group leader. Yes, the mayor who said "no" to the new Peretola race. A double-digit result would allow Fratoianni and Bonelli's local emissaries, Danti and Zaratti, to advance their claim to the vice-presidency of the council.

The president's list, packed with influential civic figures, will have its representative in the Renzi-backed cabinet, along with the Iron Lady Stefania Saccardi, vice president for five years . And finally, an outsider. Among the (very Florentine) rumors, also worth noting is the possible rise of cabinet chief Cristina Manetti, currently coordinator of the Casa Riformista. Poison or reality?