The politics of Emilia-Romagna, a region of Italy, takes place in the framework of an "anomalous presidential" representative democracy or prime-ministerial system with an executive presidency, whereby the President of Regional Government is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the Regional Government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Legislative Assembly.
The region has long been a stronghold of the Italian Communist Party and its successors, from the Democratic Party of the Left to the present-day Democratic Party, and is part of the so-called "Red belt", along with Tuscany, Marche and Umbria.
Executive branch The Regional Government (Giunta Regionale) is presided by the President of the Region (Presidente della Regione), who is elected for a five-year term, and is composed by the President, the Ministers (Assessori), who are currently 12, including a vice president and one Under-Secretary for in President's office.Giunta - ERMES Regione Emilia-Romagna
List of presidents
Legislative branch
The Legislative Assembly of Emilia-Romagna (Assemblea Legislativa dell'Emilia-Romagna) is composed of 50 members. 40 councillors are elected in provincial constituencies by proportional representation using the largest remainder method with a Droop quota and open lists, while 10 councillors (elected in bloc) come from a "regional list", including the President-elect. One seat is reserved for the candidate who comes second. If a coalition wins more than 50% of the total seats in the council with PR, only 5 candidates from the regional list will be chosen and the number of those elected in provincial constituencies will be 45. If the winning coalition receives less than 40% of votes special seats are added to the council to ensure a large majority for the President's coalition.La Repubblica – Regional electoral law
The council is elected for a five-year term, but, if the President suffers a vote of no confidence, resigns or dies, under the simul stabunt, simul cadent clause introduced in 1999 (literally they will stand together or they will fall together), also the council is dissolved and a snap election is called.
Current composition
Local government Provinces Emilia-Romagna is divided in nine provinces, which are a traditional form of local administration in the region.
Socialist and communist ideas had an early diffusion in quite all the provinces around World War I. After the Fascist parenthesis, left-wing parties found their strongholds in Emilia-Romagna, also known as the "red region of Italy".
Province Inhabitants President Party Election Metropolitan City of Bologna1,012,535Matteo Lepore(metropolitan mayor)Democratic Party2021 Ferrara (list)346,034Daniele GarutiIndependent (centre-right)2024 Forlì-Cesena (list)394,654Enzo LattucaDemocratic Party2021 Modena (list)702,983Fabio BragliaDemocratic Party2023 Parma (list)451,666Alessandro FaddaDemocratic Party2024 Piacenza (list)286,731Monica PatelliIndependent (Democratic Party)2022 Ravenna (list)390,433Valentina PalliDemocratic Party2025 Reggio Emilia (list)532,102Giorgio ZanniDemocratic Party2018 Rimini (list)338,035Jamil SadegholvaadDemocratic Party2022
Municipalities Emilia-Romagna is also divided in 331 comuni (municipalities), which have even more history, having been established in the Middle Ages when they were the main places of government. 17 comuni (9 provincial capitals) have more than 35,000 inhabitants.
Provincial capitals Municipality Inhabitants Mayor Party Election Bologna (list)390,198Matteo LeporeDemocratic Party2020 Ferrara (list)132,125Alan FabbriLega Emilia2019 Forlì (list)117,892Gian Luca ZattiniIndependent (Lega Emilia)2019 Modena (list)185,045Massimo MezzettiDemocratic Party2024 Parma (list)197,132Michele GuerraItalia in Comune2022 Piacenza (list)103,398Katia TarasconiDemocratic Party2022 Ravenna (list)158,503Michele De PascaleDemocratic Party2021 Reggio Emilia (list)172,196Marco MassariDemocratic Party2024 Rimini (list)150,013Jamil SadegholvaadDemocratic Party2021
Other municipalities Cities with more than 35,000 inhabitants. Municipality Inhabitants Mayor Party Election Cesena97,216Enzo LattucaDemocratic Party2022 Carpi71,281Riccardo RighiDemocratic Party2024 Imola69,924Marco PanieriDemocratic Party2020 Faenza58,863Massimo IsolaDemocratic Party2020 Sassuolo40,863Matteo MesiniDemocratic Party2024 Casalecchio di Reno36,509Matteo RuggeriDemocratic Party2024 Cento35,485Edoardo AccorsiDemocratic Party2021 Riccione35,044Daniela AngeliniDemocratic Party2022
Parties and elections
Latest regional election
In the latest regional election, which took place on 17–18 November 2024, Michele De Pascale (Democratic Party) was elected President of Emilia-Romagna by a landslide.
References
External links Emilia-Romagna Region Legislative Assembly of Emilia-Romagna Constitution of Emilia-Romagna