Nichi Vendola (Communist Refoundation Party) defeated incumbent Raffaele Fitto (Forza Italia).

In a Southern Italian Region, expected to be morally conservative, Vendola, a communist and homosexual, defeated Fitto, a conservative Christian democrat.

Vendola was the first candidate ever to be appointed by its coalition through a primary election instead of agreements between parties.

A defeat of Vendola might have resulted in a cancellation of the primary election of The Union for choosing the candidate for Prime Minister in the 2006 general election.

The centre-left candidate was chosen through primary elections, which were won by surprise by Nichi Vendola.