Messina Mayor Federico Basile confirmed by court ruling

The TAR of Catania has dismissed legal challenges against the administrative elections in Messina, confirming the reelection of Mayor Federico Basile and the renewal of the City Council. The court addressed two primary appeals regarding the timing of the May 2026 elections and the legality of several lists associated with the mayor that were admitted without collecting voter signatures.

Judges ruled that regional law allows political groups with representation in the Sicilian Regional Assembly to present multiple lists without the standard signature requirement, noting that the law does not impose a maximum limit on the number of lists per political entity.

The ruling has political implications beyond the local level. Cateno De Luca, leader of Sud chiama Nord, has announced an agreement to support Giorgia Meloni’s center-right coalition at the national level. This technical agreement allows Sud chiama Nord to present its own lists for national parliamentary elections by utilizing deputies Luca Sbardella and Manlio Messina to form a parliamentary group, significantly lowering the signature threshold required for participation.