Overview

• Antonio Decaro said he is ready to run for Puglia’s presidency only if he can govern with full autonomy and without Michele Emiliano and Nichi Vendola sitting in the regional assembly.
• Decaro warned he will remain in his European post if those conditions are not met, framing the issue as political renewal rather than a personal clash.
• Michele Emiliano reaffirmed his right to stand for the regional council but signaled the PD will decide on his candidacy as he focuses on finishing his mandate.
• Nichi Vendola remains set to run with Avs, and co-leader Nicola Fratoianni rejected any external veto over Avs lists, saying no one in the coalition can dictate their candidates.
• A PD-brokered meeting earlier in the week failed to resolve the dispute, and the standoff now threatens center-left cohesion ahead of a regional vote expected by late November.