The oldest party in the Republic is not what it seems. Founded on April 12, 1984, as the “Lega Autonomista Lombarda,” the party’s founders included Umberto Bossi, his wife Manuela Marrone, Giuseppe Leoni, Pierangelo Brivio, Marino Moroni, and Emilio Benito Rodolfo Sogliaghi. The party’s origins involved meetings at Umberto’s house, and to celebrate its birthday, party members gathered in Gemonio, the residence of the founder. However, there is some discontent among members, particularly directed at the current secretary, Matteo Salvini, who has not always seen eye to eye with Umberto. Despite this, celebrations continue with events planned in different locations.
Some members, like former minister Roberto Castelli, believe that Matteo Salvini has strayed from the original goals of the party and has made it more centralized with a focus on his personal ambitions. Castelli criticizes Salvini for neglecting the Northern issue and turning the party into a centralist one. He believes that Salvini has abandoned the dreams and fundamentals of the Lega, transforming it into a party aimed at achieving his own premiership goals. Castelli concludes by pointing out that Salvini’s current popularity is similar to what the Lega achieved when they were still nurturing a dream, highlighting a shift in the party’s direction under Salvini’s leadership.
During the birthday celebrations in Gemonio, a group of party members expressed their criticism of Salvini and called for new leadership. Umberto Bossi himself suggested that the Lega needs a new leader who will focus on autonomy and put the Northern issue back at the center of the party’s agenda. He hinted at potential alternative names for leadership, with some journalists mentioning Giancarlo Giorgetti as a possible candidate. Despite the absence of Salvini at the celebrations, Bossi refrains from talking about him, indicating a clear divide within the party regarding the direction it should take and who should lead it.
While Umberto Bossi calls for a new leader to guide the Lega forward, Lega’s deputy secretary Andrea Crippa expresses his support for Salvini, stating that he has brought the party to the center of Italian politics and believes Salvini’s role will be crucial in the future. Crippa emphasizes the importance of Salvini’s achievements and his impact on the Lega’s current position, suggesting that Salvini is essential for the party’s continued success. This contrasting view within the party highlights the internal debate regarding Salvini’s leadership and the direction the Lega should take in the future.
The celebrations in Gemonio mix current issues like the government’s performance with nostalgia for past moments, such as when Bossi led thousands of people to collect water from the sources of the Po River on Mount Viso. Despite his criticisms of the current government, Bossi holds onto memories like these as defining moments for the Lega. He also mentions the symbolic ampoule containing water from the Po River, entrusted to party member Roberto Calderoli, emphasizing the party’s roots and values. These reflections illustrate the blend of past achievements and present challenges that shape the Lega’s identity as it navigates its political path.
