Premier Giorgia Meloni expressed satisfaction on Tuesday after the centre-right coalition she leads held Liguria in regional elections on Sunday and Monday despite former centre-right governor Giovanni Toti having to quit this year following a corruption scandal.
Outgoing Genoa Mayor Marco Bucci is the northwestern region's new governor after winning 48.8% of the vote, beating the centre-left candidate, former labour, justice and environment minister Andrea Orlando, by just over 8,000 votes.
"Good morning Italy," Meloni said in a social-media post.
"The signal of trust received from the citizens in Liguria gives us even more strength to continue in this direction, always at the service of the Italian people.
"(Let's go) forward together, with enthusiasm and determination to build a future of concrete action and results for our nation".
The leaders of the other parties in the ruling coalition were happy too.
'Despite the investigations, the Ligurians are no fools," said Deputy Premier, Transport Minister and League leader Matteo Salvini.
"Thanks also goes to Toti".
Deputy Premier, Foreign Minister and Forza Italia leader Antonio Tajani said that "good governance" had won in Liguria.
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