2025 Italian Presidential Election (A New Era)

The 2025 Italian Presidential Election was held on March 20, 2025 to elect the 9th President of the Republic. As no candidate managed to win a majority in the first round, a runoff was organized, in which incumbent Giorgia Meloni defeated Elly Schlein and was elected as the head of state. The election was held at the same time as of the Umbrian and Sardinian ones.

In the first round, Giorgia Meloni secured the first post with 39.11% of the votes, leading the center-right coalition among other regional partners and allies. The Democratic Party followed right after with 27.51% under the Federation for Labour, a broad network which included minor socialist parties that registered important advances in red regions, mainly in metropolitan areas. Giuseppe Conte of the Five Star Movement arrived third with 13.80%, thus not gaining access to the second round, however the party managed securing key provinces in the Southern regions of Italy, which are more economically disadvantaged and poor. Carlo Calenda of the liberal Action party registered an encouraging 6.37%, boosting the reformist base.

During the second round, which was organized on April 10, Giorgia Meloni was initially in disadvantage, however managed to unbreakably gain ground and eventually Schlein was surpassed. The latter refused to concede defeat when the exit polls projected a Meloni's victory, however when the majority of sections were registered she called Meloni to congratulate her on being victorious. Under the view of many experts, this event managed to produce a large damage to the Democratic Party, and the Catholic wing called for the secretary resignation and a new congress. The presidential election was followed by the legislative election, in which the center-right obtained a renewed victory, granting Meloni the ability to pass the desired laws without excessive difficulties.

Electoral system
Under Article 57 of the revised Constitution of Italy, elections are held every five years to determine the President of the Republic through popular vote. In case no one received a majority of 50% of votes in the first round, a runoff is to be held no later than 30 days after the first ballot. In case no candidate managed to gain the required percentage, the incumbent president assumes the roles of Supplent President of Italy until the renewal of the Chamber of Deputies. The lower house will then proceed to vote between the two candidates that received the most votes. The system is heavily based on the American one, designed to guarantee stability after years of governments established violating the original choice of electors.