Italy's Meloni secures win in Marche regional election

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's candidate scored a victory in the central region of Marche, vote projections showed on Monday, offering a fresh boost to her nearly three-year-old right-wing government. Incumbent regional governor Francesco Acquaroli, a member of Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, was seen at over 50% of the vote while centre-left rival Matteo Ricci was on around 45 perccent, projections showed as counting was still ongoing. Polling company Youtrend "called" the result for Acquaroli, saying the size of his lead meant the outcome was no longer in doubt. The Marche contest was the first in a series of regional votes that will test Meloni's popularity at the local and national level ahead of the next general election due...