Fassina back in Rome's race for mayor.

Italy’s highest administrative court has readmitted Stefano Fassina, Rome mayoral candidate for Sinistra Italiana (SI), to local elections in June.

The Council of State overturned an earlier ruling by the Lazio regional administrative tribunal (TAR) excluding the candidate of the small left-wing party on grounds of irregularities in the presentation of the supporting electoral lists.

The same court also readmitted a list supporting centre-right candidate Alfio Marchini in Rome and the ticket of right-wing Fratelli d’Italia (FdI) in Milan.

Fassina expressed his pleasure in a post to his Twitter account.

“Happy about the council of state verdict,” wrote the former deputy economy minister and harsh critic of prime minister Matteo Renzi. “The left returns to the field in Rome stronger than before.”

Fassina is one of five main candidates competing for the Rome mayorship following the resignation of Ignazio Marino of the Partito Democratico (PD) ostensibly over an expenses scandal last year.

The others are Roberto Giachetti of the PD, Marchini, Giorgia Meloni of FdI, and Virginia Raggi of the anti-establishment Movimento Cinque Stelle, who is currently tipped to win.

Separately, the government has confirmed one-day voting for the upcoming elections, with the first round on Sunday 5 June and run-off ballots scheduled for 19 June.

The decision has put an end to speculation that voting might be extended to two days despite the additional cost in an attempt to boost voter turnout.

Voting in the October referendum on constitutional reform will also take place on one day only.