Alessandro Sallusti, the director of Il Giornale, is once again at the forefront of speculation as the potential candidate for mayor of Milan, aiming to spearhead the center-right's efforts to reclaim the city after 16 years under leftist leadership. This latest development is fueled by reports from Il Foglio, indicating the strategic support from prominent political figures including Matteo Salvini, leader of the League, and Giorgia Meloni, Italy's Prime Minister.
The discourse surrounding Sallusti's candidacy is prominent as Salvini reportedly sees him as the ideal candidate to restore center-right governance to Milan. The last time the center-right held the mayoral office was back in 2011, under Letizia Moratti, who lost her bid against Giuliano Pisapia. According to sources, if the current government led by Meloni completes its term, the local elections of 2027 could coincide with national elections, adding urgency to the selection process.
"Sallusti would represent, much like Maurizio Lupi, an ideal profile for the center-right," Il Foglio reported, emphasizing the significance of finding the right candidate to lead this fight. Salvini's sentiments were echoed during his announcement speech after his recent legal vindication, where he referred to the need for a standout mayor—a "sindaco con la S maiuscola"—who could rejuvenate the party's hopes.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Sallusti's name has been associated with the mayoral role; speculation first arose back in 2015, and more seriously during the 2021 elections when he declined candidacy to support Luca Bernardo. Bernardo faced significant defeat after garnering little support against the current mayor, Giuseppe Sala, who has since announced he will not run again due to term limits.
With Sallusti as the center-right's most prominent hopeful, the political theater potentially sees him pitted against fellow journalists, as Beppe Sala has hinted at the possibility of Mario Calabresi, former director of La Stampa and Repubblica, delivering his own challenge, stating, "It could ignite interest," as Milan's future governance becomes the talk of the town.
Adding to these dynamics, the left is actively considering other candidates such as Ferruccio Resta, the former rector of the Polytechnic of Milan, and Pierfrancesco Majorino, closely linked to the recently elected Secretary of the Democratic Party, Elly Schlein. Majorino appears committed and well-versed, leading early discussions for the left as they prepare for what could be another intensely fought election.
For the center-right, the stakes couldn’t be higher as they have openly expressed their intent to reclaim governance of the city. Schlein and her allies will undoubtedly ramp up efforts to present formidable challenges to candidates like Sallusti, whose affiliations with Silvio Berlusconi and his history of political commentary may either bolster his profile or open him up to criticism from the left.
Meanwhile, with the backdrop of the changing political scape, the approaching 2027 elections are predicted to be frontrunners for both camps. The urgency for Milan's leadership, once steered by the might and ideas from the right, now pushes conservative factions to rethink their strategies and candidate selection.
Both sides will be gauging public sentiment closely as this contest shapes citizens' involvement and trust levels moving forward. The outcome of this contest goes beyond mere party lines, having significant ramifications for the political atmosphere heading far beyond Milan's borders.
With the challenge of championing metropolitan issues and asserting authority at the political helm, the upcoming election is positioned to reveal not just who leads Milan, but also the associated ideological battles across Italy’s political spectrum. What remains to be seen is whether Sallusti's long-speculated aspirations will manifest or remain another close call for the ambitious director.
