The right-wing coalition led by Giorgia Meloni has won the elections for the mayor of Venice.

The right-wing coalition led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has won the elections for the mayoralty of Venice, according to projections published on Monday, despite the expectations of polls indicating a different outcome.

This victory maintains the right's control over Venice, an important city in the local elections held in over 600 municipalities across Italy. The elections were seen as a crucial electoral test for Meloni's government, following the defeat in the justice referendum in March.

The center-right candidate, Simone Venturini, obtained nearly 51% of the votes, thus avoiding a second round. In other cities, the results varied, with Vincenzo De Luca losing in Salerno and Federico Basile winning in Messina.

This victory for the right contradicts the narratives of the opposition that anticipated a crisis for Meloni.