Lega Faces Internal Debate Over Polls, Salvini Focuses on 2027 Elections

Internal divisions are surfacing within Italy's Lega party following a recent poll by Ipsos-Doxa that shows Matteo Salvini's party trailing Futuro Nazionale by a narrow margin. While the Lega's official stance, supported by a different 'Human Index' metric, places them ahead, the discrepancy has fueled discussions about the party's current standing.

Despite the fluctuating poll numbers, Salvini projects an optimistic outlook. Speaking at a youth convention in Riviera, he stated, "I don't get excited when polls are good, nor do I get depressed when they are bad. My poll is election day, in autumn 2027." He reiterated his goal for the center-right coalition to win the next general election and for the Lega to achieve a strong double-digit performance.

However, not all members share Salvini's unreserved optimism. Massimiliano Romeo, the Lega's group leader in the Senate and secretary for Lombardy, has openly called for "strong changes" and a re-evaluation of the party's political direction. Romeo, representing a northern faction advocating for greater regional autonomy, emphasized the need for the party to listen more closely to the concerns of ordinary citizens and to be willing to question its own strategies.

The party is attempting to bridge these internal divides through initiatives like the 'Territories Table,' established by Salvini to foster dialogue between party leadership and local activists. This effort aims to ensure the party remains connected to its grassroots base and responsive to the evolving political landscape.