The conclusion of the longest Lega federal council is summed up in those few, dry, concise words of an official note that says: “Matteo Salvini listened attentively to the interventions in the federal council. He is determined to increasingly strengthen the Lega, enhancing the great commitment of the administrators (appreciated in all territories) within the party.”
“In all territories” sounds like a clear no to the return to Lega Nord and, updated, to the Cdu-Csu model pumped by the mainstream media who had almost considered the solution done, trying to turn Salvini’s effort to strengthen the Lega as a team game into a takeover by Luca Zaia over Salvini himself. Therefore, the invitation from the federal secretary to a relaunch of the entire party is confirmed, starting from the flagship of governors and administrators, which Il Tempo by Daniele Capezzone had anticipated, giving a correct reading, where the protagonism of the Lega leader was central.
The same former “Doge,” record holder of votes in Veneto, where he is now president of the regional council, also seems not to have demanded at the federal council, this time strictly requested in person by Salvini, his always preferred Cdu-Csu model, limiting himself to emphasizing that, in any case, the reasons of the North must be more present also in the government agenda.
The federal council, which lasted more than three hours, ends with the secretary’s relaunch on the need to “restart from team, organization, themes.” “It went well, when we talk about Lega I am always happy,” the Lega leader, deputy prime minister, minister of Infrastructure and Transport, tells reporters. His model of a national Lega is confirmed. Zaia himself reiterates that “the Lega is one.”
There were, according to rumors from Montecitorio, moments of heated and passionate discussion, such as when Armando Siri, former undersecretary, former young socialist, among Bettino Craxi’s chosen, now head of the Lega departments, allegedly accused the governors, including the former president of Veneto, of not having sufficiently defended “Matteo,” refusing the candidacy for the European elections. A no that then, according to the rumors, in his opinion, would have “forced” the Lega, struggling in the polls, to nominate Vannacci. Siri essentially accused governors and former governors of not having played enough as a team in defense of that national Lega with which Salvini saved the party from the 3 percent cliff.
But, beyond the rumors, it is that team game that Salvini now relaunches from North to South. And which finds, according to the rumors reported by the Agi news agency, a claim that unites the entire Lega, for Salvini’s return to the Viminale. Good, it would be said, the electoral reform wanted by FdI, but the Lega, after the results obtained, has the pride and the right to simultaneously put back at the center one of its most identifying themes: security.
