Puglia Region faces political dispute over Fiera del Levante initiative

The Puglia Region has announced a public call for participation at the 89th edition of the Fiera del Levante in Bari, scheduled for September 19–27, 2026. Under the slogan "Tutta la Puglia, abbiamo un programma da realizzare insieme," the initiative aims to build a "community of implementation" for regional policies. Pavilion 152 will serve as an operational hub where local authorities, businesses, schools, and associations can share successful local practices to be integrated into regional strategic projects, including the blue economy, agriculture, and welfare for seniors.

However, the initiative has drawn political criticism from the Fratelli d'Italia (FdI) group. FdI representatives have called on Regional President Antonio Decaro to clarify whether the event is a neutral institutional initiative or a partisan activity for his political movement, Prossima Puglia. FdI has contested the use of regional-owned pavilions for what they describe as a party-led initiative, further criticizing the excessive use of fairground spaces by various regional agencies and offices.