Lega founder Umberto Bossi makes clear Salvini must step down

Faced with declining popularity among voters and within his party, the leadership of Matteo Salvini, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and current Lega leader – at least for now – is being challenged by none other than Umberto Bossi, the founder of the party’s previous iteration, Lega Nord.

Bossi, the founder of Lega’s predecessor, Lega Nord, which was set up in 1989 to transform Italy into a federal state with greater regional autonomy, particularly for northern regions, spoke at the celebration of the party’s 40th anniversary on Saturday.

“A new leader is needed,” Bossi, who in the past advocated for the secession of northern Italy-something Salvini has dropped-told the attendants.

“Everything is allowed to Bossi, who built everything,” said Salvini, acknowledging Bossi’s founding role and expressing gratitude for Bossi’s leadership, along with the constant criticism and challenges he faces as part of his leadership journey.

Despite this acknowledgement, there are clear indications of internal discord within the League regarding Salvini’s leadership direction.

According to Lorenzo Castellani, a political analyst at LUISS Guido Carli University, “There is a part of Lega that is unhappy with Salvini. Bossi is the founder, so he is a kind of moral compass for Lega, but a part of the party is very unhappy with the path Salvini is taking, a path that is making him suffer even in the polls”.

Lega, currently polling at around 8%, faces challenges from other parties, such as centre-right Forza Italia, threatening to surpass its popularity in the upcoming European elections. Salvini’s shift to the right has exacerbated doubts within the party, with some members advocating a return to federalism, business freedom, Euroscepticism and immigration control.

When asked by the press whether he would consider replacing Salvini with Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, Bossi replied, “Giorgetti is very good, but you named him, not me. Otherwise, they will destroy him.”

Castellani, however, sees Giorgetti more as a technical figure rather than a political heavyweight. “He is now also Meloni’s best ally in government. The economy minister and the prime minister, who are often at odds in coalition governments, actually get along quite well in this case”.

Potential alternatives to Salvini within Lega include the likes of Zaia, Federica and Fontana. However, Castellani stresses that the choice of leader will depend on the party’s direction.

“If Lega were to revert to its Northern roots, these figures might be suitable. However, if it remains a national party, a leader capable of resonating on a national scale would be necessary. But there are two politicians with a national profile: Salvini and Giorgetti”.

Despite the internal rumblings, Castellani believes significant leadership changes within Lega are unlikely before the European elections in June.

“At most, everyone is waiting for Salvini to crash. The moment Salvini eventually crashes, there will be internal movements in the following months, maybe a congress. But even then, I would not be so sure. It would have to go very badly for Lega; it would have to get around 6%,” he added.

(Alessia Peretti | Euractiv.it)

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