Exactly 282,878 South Tyroleans went to the polls last Sunday: Voter turnout decreased only slightly from 73.9 to 71.5 percent; the number of absentee voters, on the other hand, increased slightly - about one third of the 42,197 eligible voters living abroad, voted. Compared to other regional elections in Italy, however, voter turnout in South Tyrol remains above average.
A total of 16 lists sought the favor of voters in the 116 municipalities in the regional elections this time - 12 of which made it into the new regional parliament: The South Tyrolean People's Party lost popularity and received only 34.5 percent. It lost two mandates; however, with 13 of the 35 deputies, it will continue to be the strongest faction in the provincial parliament. By way of comparison, in the 1988-1993 legislative period, the "Sammelpartei" still had a full absolute majority with 22 mandates, which has since become smaller and smaller.
The full-length publication is only available in German.