It’s not yet official as 8% of votes are still to be counted this morning but Ugo Cappellacci the leader of the centre right PDL party is over 10 points clear and makes it highly unlikely that the incumbent leader Renato Soru will stay in power. This election race was very much seen as Soru vs Prime Minister Berlusconi given the passionate dislike between the two. This became more of the focus when the PDL choose Ugo Cappellacci the son of Berlusconi’s fiscal advisor as the party leader.

The idealistic strategy of Renato Soru was to keep Sardinia for Sardinians by implementing a number of policies which included heavy building restrictions on the island’s coast, closure of a US military base in La Maddalena, and the controversial luxury taxation policy for non-residents and tourists.

These policies resulted in a drop in tourism, increase in unemployment and a leap in house prices over the past five years. Although not all of his policies were bad the overall effect has proven too much for the Sardinian people to vote him for a second term.

Politically this is good news for the North of Sardinia and in-particular Alghero. It is fair to say that the focus under Soru’s government has concentrated on the south of the island, which ensured the majority of the financial investments, marketing and promotion was distributed in and around the Cagliari area where Renato originates from.

The new combination of Conservative Regional control, Conservative Alghero Council and majority Conservative Board of Directors at Alghero’s Airport should ensure the future of the airport and the subsequent tourism in the local area.

We may now see some progress on the expansion strategy of Alghero as building restrictions are expected to change. The lack of building permits over the past five years have been a result of Soru’s polices however Alghero council is also to blame for the painfully slow drafting of the PUC (town planning documentation). Hopefully we will see a new town plan that will see more quality hotels, touristic services and new housing which, fingers crossed will be conducted in a sensible and environmentally sensitive way, that enhances the town without spoiling what people love about Alghero.

2009 is shaping up to be an interesting year and as always we will keep you up to date.