Acquaroli's campaign: "Healthcare and ZES, here are the results. More local responses."

Ancona, August 15, 2025 – In Montefeltro A sweltering outgoing Marche president, Francesco Acquaroli, gazes at the village of Sassocorvaro: "People are aware of the results we've achieved in these five years. It's nice because it can't be taken for granted, right?"

Governor, where do we start from then?

"From infrastructure. From policies for inland areas like this one. From our vision and focus. From our work on reconstruction and flooding. From economic recovery."

Marche is the first region to vote on September 28th and 29th, along with Valle d'Aosta. This marks the first test of a long series for the FdI and the government.

"The Marche, along with Abruzzo, is one of the first regions to be governed by the Brothers of Italy party. But the real issue lies elsewhere: we are aware of the strategic importance of the regional elections at this time, despite ours being a region with a medium demographic impact. This is normal; we are not surprised."

But what impact will the Marche test have for Rome?

“Every election is a test, this one will be like all the others.”

Giorgia Meloni recently visited Ancona for the expansion of the Special Economic Zone (ZES) for Southern Italy. What will it bring to the region?

"The ZES is a huge achievement because, thanks to the Meloni government, it has been recognized and granted even to regions in transition. It provides fundamental measures for the entire region, such as simplification and employment support, which businesses have always strongly requested, and tax credits for the most depressed areas."

But for the Democratic Party the Zes “does not exist nor will it ever exist”.

"The ZES is a reality, but it won't produce its effects overnight. The ZES will be operational in a few months. Investments, opportunities, regulations: we will ensure it produces the best possible results."

Healthcare is at the center of debate in all of Italy's regions. Democratic Party candidate Matteo Ricci says you're denying the problems.

"Problems exist, and we've never denied them. Over the past five years, half of which were during the pandemic, we've worked toward a reform that would bring healthcare services closer to the communities, investing in construction, technology, and strengthening the network. These were complex years. Then, after the emergency, we tried to make up for what hadn't been done before. Starting with the failure to plan for doctor turnover and the defunding of healthcare by previous governments, which left us with an impoverished system and created difficulties during emergencies and in the communities."

And now?

We are overcoming the difficulties thanks to government intervention and the implementation of our reforms, which are already having significant effects. However, the issue is complex: even though the system is producing 10% more services than in 2019, it cannot fully meet the increase in demand, which is 38-40%. Despite this, we are the only region in central Italy that has not increased taxes in the last five years.

So how do you get out of this?

There are critical issues, but there's also improved efficiency and productivity within the system, and that needs to be addressed. And we'll continue to focus on this. We've worked to open 50 health centers, we're structuring general practitioner clinics, and we've launched a service pharmacy, the first in Italy. The priority is to eliminate inappropriate services and create greater local responses: from agreements with general practitioners to strengthening community healthcare. Therefore, we're closer to citizens, trying to reduce waiting lists and emergency rooms.

But do we also need more funds?

"I see the government gradually increasing the national health fund, something it's never done before. The chaos is all there; just think of the lack of doctor turnover..."

Let's go back to the ZES. The economy is languishing...

The goal is to bring the Marche region's GDP to a level within a few years that will once again make it one of the most competitive regions in Italy and Europe. In recent years, we have supported our businesses with European resources, which today sees us among the leading regions in Italy. The ZES is a key tool for stimulating investment and employment and further boosting the region's competitiveness. The government's vision is crucial in this regard: for us, exports represent a significant portion of GDP, and the government's international credibility and stability enable new market opportunities.

The Marche election campaign has so far been marked by the corruption investigation into the custody of Pesaro and Matteo Ricci. What impact will it have?

I hope, indeed I'm certain, that the people of the Marche will focus on results, on what's been accomplished, and on plans. For those who have worked hard and can boast of achievements, the worst thing is not being able to talk about them fully. The rest is a topic that doesn't concern us.

And aren't you afraid of abstention?

“I hope not.”