Former League members seek to revive Northern League
A group of former parliamentarians and council members from Italy’s right-wing nationalist League party has said it intends to secure a federal congress to revive the Northern League — the party’s original, previously separatist version.
Pressure on Salvini
The initiative could increase pressure on League leader, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini. He is already facing criticism from moderate influential party figures after the party’s poll ratings recently declined ahead of next year’s general election.
According to ANSA English, sources in the League expressed surprise at the initiative. They also asked whether the former party members were prepared to take on the 49 million euro debt that the League is gradually repaying.
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Party reaction
League sources said that people who, in their words, nearly destroyed the party had returned in search of positions. They also asked whether individuals who admitted guilt in corruption cases were prepared to fully take on repayment of the debt linked to misappropriated funds.
The League is currently preparing for its annual gathering in Pontida near Milan, which the party considers its spiritual stronghold. Despite criticism of Salvini, polls, according to ANSA, indicate his popularity among the party’s grassroots supporters.
