Varese Left-Wing: Pact for the City 2027-2032

Context

In brief

• Centre-left launches 'Varese Pact' for 2027 elections
• Open coalition with 10 parties and civic lists
• Mayor candidate by year's end

Key facts

• What: Presentation of the 'Open Manifesto for the City of Varese 2027-2032'
• When: 2026
• Where: Informagiovani di via Como, Varese
• Who: Centre-left coalition with Partito Democratico, Progetto Concittadino, Azione, Più Europa, Italia Viva, Varese Praticittà, Collettiva, Sinistra Italiana, Avanti PSI Varese, Europa Verde
• Amount: Not yet specified

The centre-left of Varese has launched the 'Varese Pact', an open coalition aiming to present a mayor candidate by the end of the year in view of the 2027 administrative elections. The programmatic manifesto was presented at the Informagiovani di via Como, a symbolic place of the city's urban regeneration. The coalition is composed of ten parties and civic lists, including Partito Democratico, Progetto Concittadino, Azione, Più Europa, Italia Viva, Varese Praticittà, Collettiva, Sinistra Italiana, Avanti PSI Varese, and Europa Verde. The outgoing mayor Davide Galimberti participated in the evening as a guarantor, emphasizing the importance of dialogue with citizens and attention to the global challenges the city must face.

Implications for the city

The manifesto represents a common project that goes beyond individual political affiliations, with the aim of enhancing the administration of the city. The coalition is open to anyone who shares the values and administrative actions of the last ten years, but explicitly excludes centre-right political forces. The path towards unity is already underway with the Movimento 5 Stelle, which participated in the preparatory working tables but chose not to be among the signatories of the document in this first phase.

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Operational details

Analysis of Implications

The presentation of the 'Patto per Varese' represents a significant step towards the 2027 administrative elections. The center-left coalition has shown strong unity and continuity, bringing together a wide range of political and civic forces around a common project. This approach could attract new voters and strengthen the support base for the mayoral candidate who will be chosen by the end of the year. For example, the coalition has already garnered the support of 15 local associations and 5 political parties, a significant number compared to previous elections.

Dialogue with the Five Star Movement

The dialogue with the Five Star Movement, although still in the definition phase, represents an opportunity to further expand the coalition. Although the Five Star Movement did not sign the manifesto in this first phase, its participation in the preparatory working tables indicates an interest in collaborating. This could lead to an even broader and more representative coalition of the city's diverse political sensitivities. A comparison with similar scenarios in Ticino, such as the municipality of Lugano, shows that the integration of different political forces can lead to greater representation and more inclusive governance.

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Key points

Concrete actions

For the citizens of Varese, the launch of the 'Pact for Varese' represents an opportunity to actively participate in defining the electoral program. Here's what to do:

1. Participate in working groups: Citizens are invited to participate in the working groups organized by the coalition. For example, the working group on cross-border work could discuss the introduction of a tax relief system for commuters working in Ticino, as already happens in Lugano with the withholding tax regime for cross-border workers. The groups will meet every Tuesday and Friday at the coalition's headquarters in Piazza Repubblica.

2. Provide feedback: Citizens can provide feedback and suggestions through the coalition's official channels, such as the website and social media. For example, they can propose changes to the public transport enhancement project, such as the introduction of a shuttle bus between Varese and Mendrisio, similar to the service active between Como and Chiasso.

3. Stay informed: It is important to stay informed about the activities and initiatives of the coalition. For example, the programmatic manifesto provides for the introduction of a baby bonus of 1,000 euros for new births, similar to the initiative launched by the Municipality of Mendrisio in 2022.

Useful tools

To delve deeper into the themes addressed in the programmatic manifesto and to actively participate in the city's political life, citizens can use the following tools:

• Salary calculator: To calculate your net salary and better understand the fiscal implications of the coalition's proposals. For example, a worker with a gross salary of 3,500 euros could save around 500 euros annually with the proposed tax reliefs.

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