Vannacci party fields former Forza Italia lawmaker Domenico Giannetta in Reggio Calabria by-election

Party debut and candidate selection

Futuro Nazionale leader Roberto Vannacci and national coordinator Massimiliano Simoni announced on 23 August 2026 that former Forza Italia deputy Domenico Giannetta will contest the parliamentary by-election in Reggio Calabria. The vote, set for 27 and 28 September 2026, marks the first time that the movement has officially filed its party symbol for an electoral contest. Party officials deposited the list on Sunday morning, formally ending speculation that Vannacci himself might run for the vacant seat in the Chamber of Deputies.

This morning we deposited the Futuro Nazionale list for the by-elections in Reggio Calabria: our project of a great, sovereign, and secure nation takes shape and runs on the legs of strong men and women. Of those who are weak, timid, and hesitant, we have the chambers full!

Vannacci and Simoni stated that the candidacy offers an alternative to voters dissatisfied with unkept political promises and standard party mechanisms. In their joint statement, the leaders criticised national policies ranging from unbuilt naval blockades and unfulfilled pension revisions to infrastructure opposition involving gas pipelines, oil drilling, and the Strait of Messina bridge.

Giannetta leaves Forza Italia

Giannetta confirmed his departure from Forza Italia, stepping down from his position as president of the party's council group in the Regional Council of Calabria at Palazzo Campanella. In a formal statement, he framed the decision as an evolution of his career after more than twenty years in political, institutional, and administrative roles. Giannetta stated that he had served Forza Italia with loyalty, acknowledging the mentorship of former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, the late regional president Jole Santelli, and current regional president Roberto Occhiuto.

Today in Calabria Forza Italia is no longer my political home. I am moving further to the right compared to the past, but I do so without renouncing my identity. I remain a moderate, open to dialogue, debate, and mediation.

Giannetta added that while he is changing his political platform to represent Calabrian citizens in Rome, he intends to continue supporting regional measures and initiatives that he deems beneficial to the area.

Coalition reactions and regional fallout

Calabria Regional President Roberto Occhiuto moved quickly to sever ties following the announcement, expelling Giannetta from the regional centre-right majority. Occhiuto stated publicly that the ruling coalition has nothing in common with Futuro Nazionale, removing the former group leader from the regional governing alignment.

Vannacci and Simoni responded by contrasting Giannetta's regional background with the candidate selection of their opponents, arguing that Forza Italia relies on outside figures rather than local leadership. They specifically criticised the traditional centre-right for running a candidate based in Rome rather than an established local representative, asserting that Futuro Nazionale prioritises territorial familiarity and local experience.

Constituency background and rival candidates

The by-election for the Chamber of Deputies seat became necessary after former deputy Francesco Cannizzaro vacated his parliamentary office following his election as mayor of Reggio Calabria earlier in 2026. In the 2022 general election, Cannizzaro won the seat as Forza Italia secured nearly 20% of the vote in the district, while the centre-right municipal coalition won the mayoral race in the first round with over 65% of preferences.

For the upcoming vote, the centre-right coalition is expected to field Fabio Roscioli, who serves as Forza Italia's national treasurer and as a lawyer for Fininvest. The centre-left coalition is running cardiologist Frank Benedetto in the single-member contest, setting up a multi-party race for the southern Italian constituency.