The first round of the municipal elections in Riva del Garda has outlined a clear scenario for the runoff, which will take place on May 18. The candidates Alessio Zanoni, representing the center-left, and Silvia Betta, supported by Fratelli d’Italia and civic lists, will compete for the position of mayor. Zanoni secured 48.75% of the votes, narrowly missing direct victory by just a few ballots, while Betta garnered 29.36%. The other contenders recorded significantly lower results: Maria Pia Molinari received 10.10%, Carlo Modena 9.02%, followed by Paolo Grossi and Luca Barbieri with 1.47% and 1.29% respectively.
Voter turnout was notably low, standing at 54.92%, ten points lower than the previous electoral event in 2020. Only 8,104 citizens out of 14,755 eligible voters participated in the election. This decline in interest reflects a broader trend of disaffection towards local politics and may be influenced by recent investigations that have shaken the community. The competition between Zanoni and Betta will not only be a programmatic challenge but also a crucial test for rebuilding trust with the citizens.
