The Carroccio returns to Pontida, the first time with Vannacci as Leghista: here is who will be there

The League returns to Pontida this weekend ready to claim the leadership of Veneto after the long era of Luca Zaia. 'Free and strong' and 'without fear' are the slogans chosen for this edition of the traditional rally. On paper, it should be General Roberto Vannacci who holds the stage. Promoted to deputy secretary in record time and at the same time a card-carrying member (he arrived at the European Parliament as an independent, with a dowry of over 500,000 votes), he will be present for the first time as a Leghista doc. Last year he was a guest observer, overwhelmed by kisses and hugs from the crowd. On Saturday he will be at the pre-Pontida, the young Padans' party in the Bergamasque village together with the minister Giuseppe Valditara. The next day he is expected to speak again from the main stage, before Salvini's final rally.

Salvini was also supposed to speak on Saturday afternoon, but had to give up due to health problems. "See you at Pontida!" This is the message posted on social media by the vice-premier, shortly before it was announced that he would have to cancel his commitments today for medical checks, which should not prevent him from attending the Leghist rally in the Bergamo area on Sunday. Salvini's post is accompanied by a two-minute motivational video that opens with an image of Charlie Kirk's murder and his widow's warning ('You have no idea what you have just unleashed').

Presences also from abroad this year: on Sunday among the international guests who will take turns on stage will be the president of Vox Santiago Abascal, the leader of Rassemblement National (former Front National), as well as president of the Patriots in the European Parliament, Jordan Bardella (Marine Le Pen's dauphin, guest star in 2023) and also Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro (sentenced a few days ago to 27 years for attempted coup d'état).It is difficult to see Umberto Bossi (just turned 84) here again. Poor health has kept him away from the event for years.

Listening to Vannacci will be both the historical militants with Alberto da Giussano's pin and the flags of the Venetian lion of St. Mark, and his followers, members of the 'Mondo al contrario' association, members of the 155 'Vannacci teams' scattered around the country. Two different universes. To some incompatible. In the past few days, heavy names in the League have taken the field against the former general and his over-the-top tones inspired by the Decima Mas: from the governor of Lombardy Attilio Fontana to the vice-president of the Senate Gian Marco Centinaio. And even if Salvini continues to call Vannacci "an added value", there are those who fear that there may be cold attitudes in Pontida towards him. "There is no risk of protests or polemics", however, Luca Toccalini, MP and federal coordinator of the Lega Giovani, cuts it short. 'The League has always been a world of different sensibilities united by a single hat: our battles,' he assures.

Certainly, another strong theme will be political hatred and reactions to the murder of Charlie Kirk. Salvini is banking on this and has emphasised it on several occasions. In Ancona, for example, at the closing of the election campaign for Francesco Acquaroli together with the other centre-right leaders, he asked for a minute's silence for the American, somewhat disconcerting the people in the square. At Pontida, the tribute to the American Maga activist will surely be studied and choral. With a sort of apologia for freedom of thought and speech 'incompatible with hatred and violence'. Especially since Kirk's funeral will also take place in the US on Sunday.