![Vendolax390_0](https://www.advocate.com/media-library/vendolax390-0.jpg?id=32718493&width=1200&height=876)
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The unlikely opponent for Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is Nichi Vendola, a gay poet turned governor of the Apulia region of Italy.
Vendola, whom the Italian press has somewhat jokingly dubbed "the white Obama," seems to be a viable candidate to take on Berlusconi, who barely survived the December 14 confidence vote by parliament to keep leading his People of Freedom Party, according to The Washington Post. Berlusconi has also lost favor as he has been accused of paying several women for sex, including a teenage nightclub dancer.
Vendola spent most of his political life as a communist before forming the Left Ecology Freedom Party. In 2005 he swayed the right-leaning Apulia enough to be elected governor, and he won reelection last March.
While an unidentified source told the Post that Berlusconi believes Italian Catholics would not be eager to elect a gay leader, Vendola's campaign is gathering momentum. Vendola is the most "liked" politician in Europe on Facebook, and he is known for his work to push sustainable wind and solar energy and for "Nichi's Workshops" (his first name is pronounced "Nicky") to promote social and political discussion.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Latest Stories
Walmart and MISTR to offer free at-home HIV testing kits
July 25 2024 10:02 AM
Joe Biden sends queer lawmakers & LGBTQ+ allies to Paris Olympics
July 24 2024 12:08 PM
Kamala Harris rides wave of Democratic energy at kickoff event in Wisconsin
July 23 2024 3:36 PM