The power struggle over the political direction of Lega, Italy’s right-wing populist government party led by Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, has escalated. Deputy Lega chairman Roberto Vannacci announced that he intends to chart his political path on his own from now on. The former army general and European Parliament member is widely seen as far-right and has previously sparked controversy with anti-LGBTQ+ and racist remarks. In a book he described homosexuals as “not normal,” spoke of a supposed “dictatorship of the minorities,” and warned of an “international gay lobby.”
On Facebook, Vannacci also announced that he would continue his political career under a new movement named “Futuro Nazionale” (National Future). “I love my homeland and want to continue fighting for it by avoiding machinations, expedient compromises, and backroom deals,” the 57-year-old wrote.
For some time now, tensions have been smoldering within Lega between supporters of more moderate positions and hardliners. The strains have become hard to miss. A few days ago, Vannacci threatened to split from Lega. Salvini wrote on X that he was disappointed by the move. The party had brought him in when he stood alone against many, and his departure would be both personally and politically regrettable.
Lega is one of the smaller coalition partners of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing party Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy), which has governed Italy for more than three years — longer than almost any other postwar Italian head of government. The coalition is viewed as stable. In polls, Lega sits at around eight percent, behind its two coalition partners. Salvini has recently drawn closer to right-leaning positions, including meeting British far-right figure Tommy Robinson. Last week, his party also planned to host a conference with neo-fascist activists.
