Overview

• Antonio Decaro said he is ready to run for Puglia’s presidency only with full autonomy, rejecting any role as an “ostaggio” of Michele Emiliano or Nichi Vendola.
• Michele Emiliano reiterated he will seek a Regional Council seat, arguing it is his constitutional right and dismissing any veto on his candidacy.
• Nichi Vendola intends to run for the Council on the Avs list, adding to concerns that two former presidents in the assembly could constrain a successor.
• An attempted mediation led by PD leader Elly Schlein’s emissary Igor Taruffi failed to yield a compromise, leaving the centre-left stuck in an impasse ahead of the November vote.
• Decaro said he will remain at work in Brussels and back the centre-left from there if his conditions are not met, as Avs co-leader Nicola Fratoianni rejected any veto on Vendola and said the coalition can find another candidate if needed.