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Italy's Lega awaits leader's move amid internal 'cold war'
🇮🇹 Italy /Elections & Politics

Italy's Lega awaits leader's move amid internal 'cold war'

From Corriere della Sera · () Italian

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • The Italian Lega party faces internal division over its direction, with a northern faction demanding a party reset.
  • Leader Matteo Salvini is expected to decide on proposed changes, including potentially naming Luca Zaia as deputy secretary.
  • The party is struggling to regain voters in northern regions, prompting calls for organizational and leadership changes.

The Italian Lega party is at a critical juncture as leader Matteo Salvini weighs demands for a significant shift in direction, particularly from a powerful northern faction. The party, which has seen its support dwindle in key northern regions like Lombardy, Veneto, and Piedmont, faces pressure to reorganize and potentially change its leadership to reconnect with voters.

The national Lega has its leader in Matteo Salvini, a Milanese who is doing more for the South than the same ministers from the South have done in the past.

— Margherita FerroThe mayor of Aci Catena explaining her support for Salvini, which contrasts with the demands of the northern faction.

A recent federal council meeting highlighted the internal tensions, with Salvini promising a decision by the following Wednesday. Claudio Durigon, a close confidante of Salvini and coordinator for the Lega in the South, expressed optimism that Salvini would find the best path forward. However, the specifics of any potential changes remain unclear, fueling speculation about the party's future.

We will meet again next Wednesday and I will let you know what I have decided.

— Matteo SalviniSalvini's statement after a federal council meeting, indicating a decision on the party's direction is forthcoming.

Sources suggest Salvini might be open to appointing Veneto Governor Luca Zaia as deputy secretary. Yet, some within the party argue that a figure with real power and autonomy, not just a symbolic role, is needed to address the electoral challenges. The debate also touches upon potential modifications to the party's statute, though no concrete proposals have been widely seen.

I believe that objectively Salvini will find the best path for everyone.

— Claudio DurigonA close associate of Salvini expressing confidence in the leader's decision-making.

The internal discord has created a stalemate, with some suggesting a triumvirate leadership involving Salvini, Zaia, and Durigon, while others believe Zaia is the only figure with enough appeal to revitalize the party. Despite the internal maneuvering, the party's image is suffering from the prolonged uncertainty. Regional leaders like Attilio Fontana of Lombardy have backed the idea of a "dual Lega" that prioritizes territorial issues, indicating the depth of the regional demands.

that of the double Lega is a proposal that we believe in. The issue of territoriality must be placed at the center of attention.

— Attilio FontanaThe governor of Lombardy reiterating support for a proposal that emphasizes regional concerns within the party.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Corriere della Sera in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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