From the Open Arms trial to Pontida, Salvini's autumn campaign begins

Matteo Salvini's hot autumn begins this morning in Palermo even though the vice-premier and leader of the League will not be in court when the prosecutors pronounce the indictment against the then interior minister who in the summer of 2019 prevented the landing of 147 migrants rescued at sea by the Open Arms. "I risk up to 15 years in prison," Salvini also emphasised in the last few hours, saying he was "astonished" by a trial that was the result of the "inventions of the left".

The League leader prefers to attack his opponents while avoiding a clash with the magistrates. The verdict is expected by October. But in the meantime, the public prosecutor's request for a conviction is already destined to provoke a broad reaction not only among the Carroccio people, but in general in the political world and in the government, restoring, at least in part, to the Captain the leading role that has been tarnished in recent years, also due to choices that were not shared by many within the League.

The latest was the alliance with Roberto Vannacci at the European elections, which has already caused him several headaches even with historical allies such as Marine Le Pen because of the general's homophobic remarks. This very week - in Viterbo - Vannacci will hold a sort of christening of his 'World to the contrary' movement with a title - 'We with Vannacci' - that clearly mimics the 'We with Salvini' of the Captain's heyday. After all, in recent days it was the Carroccio leader himself who spoke of 'climbing the ladder' in front of his MPs.

It is probable that the recipient of the message is not so much Vannacci - who in any case remains outside the party - but rather the internal climbers. Something might emerge at the forthcoming Lega congress in Lombardy, where the current Senate group leader Massimiliano Romeo could be a candidate.

The decision here too will come at the end of October to coincide with the elections in Liguria, the first electoral test of this autumn that also sees Emilia-Romagna and Umbria on the ballot. The candidacy of Genoa Mayor Marco Bucci has revived the centre-right's chances of victory. But at stake, as always, is not only the result of the coalition but also the positioning of the individual majority parties. At the European elections in Liguria, the League was travelling around 9% against the almost 30% of Fratelli d'Italia and the 9.6 thanks to which Forza Italia overtook it. Salvini cannot afford a further setback. The leader of the League is preparing a fierce electoral campaign with the issues of security (see the battle in Parliament over prison for female prisoners, including mothers) and immigration at the centre. The start will come despite the defendant's absence this morning from Palermo with the indictment by the Prosecutor.