Salvini puts the brakes on the move towards federalism called for by Zaia
The secretary has rejected the proposed amendment to the constitution. He has also announced the formation of a steering committee for the regions and autonomous communities, comprising governors and local administrators, which is due to be formally established next week
Key points
Matteo Salvini breaks the deadlock by announcing a steering committee for the regions and autonomous areas, rejecting the proposal for a reorganisation put forward by the northern wing (led by Luca Zaia, an advocate of a ‘spin-off’ with extensive autonomy on German CDU-CSU model). Faced with pressure from the governors of the North, he had offered the deputy secretariat to Zaia and Fedriga, with a sort of mandate on northern issues. But following the refusal of the former Doge and the governor of Friuli-Venezia Giulia – who were unwilling to take on a greater role within the party without the ability to make a real impact or hold real power – he shifted towards a compromise solution, as revealed to *Corriere della Sera*. A “steering committee for the regions and autonomous provinces”, comprising governors, group leaders, certain ministers, provincial presidents and mayors.
The control room
A team of around fifteen people who will support him in planning political action and who are expected to meet on a weekly basis. The team’s launch and composition could be officially announced as early as next week, ahead of the ‘retreat’ on 4 and 5 July in Mogliano Veneto (Treviso).
Discontent within the party
Among the League’s members in Veneto, there is a widespread belief that this is not the right tool to bring about the renewal that is expected. Although the Doge – as those close to him explain – will have no problem backing the project. The steering committee does not seem to be inspiring much enthusiasm within the party. Apart from the secretary’s most loyal supporters, some MPs are talking of an initial positive sign. But discontent is rife. Quite a few fear that without a ‘robust’ revitalisation drive, the League risks a significant decline in the next elections, potentially losing its seat.
The gazebos for the Mayor of Milan and Salvini’s name
Meanwhile, over the weekend, the Milanese League set up around forty campaign stalls: open primaries for party members, with a free ballot, to choose the mayoral candidate for the centre-right in the 2027 local elections. The aim is to speed up the process of selecting the candidate to field in the Lombard capital. Among the names the League has mentioned in recent months as potential candidates are the deputy secretary Silvia Sardone and the undersecretary at CIPESS Alessandro Morelli. However, it is precisely the latter who has announced that he will write ‘Salvini’ on his ballot paper. Igor Iezzi, the Lega’s group leader on the Chamber of Deputies’ Constitutional Affairs Committee, has said he will do the same. For the governor of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana, there is no doubt either: “If there is a chance to vote for Salvini… it will definitely be Salvini.”
But in reality, rather than a vote with real external implications, it seems to be more of a vote for internal purposes. A sort of ‘motion of support’ for the secretary, to demonstrate his popularity at a difficult time, with Futuro Nazionale’s rise in the polls Roberto Vannacci ‘threatening’ the overtaking. Salvini can only ‘win’ the consultation that has been launched. And then ‘step aside immediately’. But buoyed by that endorsement, he will ask the centre-right coalition to quickly select a candidate to run against the centre-left. ‘If they really want to challenge the centre-left for the city, the candidate will have to work all summer to put together a team, a campaign and a programme...’ say his supporters.
