Abelli was the head of Forza Italia regional council in Lombardy from 2005. He was also the commissioner of the regional Family and Social Solidarity, though he was mainly connected with the healthcare system and Communion and Liberation. In his regional political role, Abelli was a great sponsor of the Broni-Pavia-Mortara autostrada project which was launched in 2002 and which raised objections from local committees and associations.
