2011 Bologna municipal election

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2011 Bologna municipal elections were held on 15–16 May 2011. The centre-left candidate Virginio Merola won the mayoralty in the first round with 50.47% of the votes, while the centre-right candidate Manes Bernardini received about 30.35%. Voter turnout was 71%, lower than in 2009 and 2004.

Background: The previous mayor, Flavio Delbono of the Democratic Party, resigned on 25 January 2010 amid investigations connected to the Cinziagate affair. He said he would step down and return to teaching to clear his name. The emergency budget was approved, and the election to appoint Delbono’s successor had to take place by 28 March 2010. Bologna was then governed for about 15 months by a special commissioner, Anna Maria Cancellieri.

Voting system: In Italy, voters in cities like Bologna can vote directly for the mayor or for the party of the candidate’s coalition. If no candidate gets 50% in the first round, the top two go to a runoff after two weeks. The City Council is elected separately by proportional representation, with voters casting a preference for specific candidates; seats are allocated to parties proportionally.