(ANSA) - Rome, June 10 - The centre right won the northern city of Ferrara, traditionally a stronghold for the left, for the first time in the post-War period in Sunday's runoffs for local elections in many Italian towns and cities. The centre right, spearheaded by Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini's League party, pulled off a similar feat in Novi Ligure, in Piedmont.
    Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini hailed "extraordinary results" for the League. "We have had mayors elected where the left governed for 70 years," he added.
    But the centre left had some successes too, winning back Livorno after the Tuscan port was governed for a term by outgoing Mayor Filippo Nogarin of the 5-Star Movement (M5S).
    The centre left also held Prato, Reggio Emilia, Cesena and Cremona.
    Nicola Zingaretti, the leader of the Democratic Party (PD), said the results showed that "there is an alternative to Salvini and it's the new centre left".
    The anti-corruption M5S won in Campobasso, the only major city where it made it to the runoffs.
    New Mayor Roberto Gravina said the victory suggested that "an ill wind is blowing for the League". The turnout was 16% down in the runoffs with respect to the first round of voting.