Salvini opens up to northerners: willing to strengthen the team with governors, ministers, mayors

Matteo Salvini has signaled openness to strengthening his political team by involving regional leaders, ministers, and mayors, in response to internal dissent within the League party. Speaking at the League’s festival in Pinzolo, Trentino, Salvini addressed criticisms from northern members of his party who have expressed concerns over the centralization of power and the lack of focus on local issues. He emphasized his willingness to share responsibilities and collaborate with representatives from the north, stating, “I am available to share my responsibilities with everyone, to strengthen the team, to involve governors, ministers, mayors.” This statement comes amid growing tensions within the League, particularly among its northern factions, which feel sidelined in national decision-making processes. Salvini's remarks were delivered during a speech where he also reiterated key policy positions. He defended his stance on fiscal measures targeting banks, arguing that reclaiming a portion of their profits could be used to fund pensions, employment, and security. “I think it is right socially and economically to ask back a small part of the tens of billions of euros in profits that banks have made over the years,” he said. “I want to see someone tell me no, that banks should not be taxed. And they must explain it to me.” He pointed to Spain as an example, noting that the Spanish government had collected around five billion euros through such measures while banks still maintained substantial earnings. On immigration, Salvini took a firm position, criticizing Germany for attempting to repatriate irregular immigrants. “Germany does not have the right to send anyone back until the ships operated by NGOs stop dropping thousands of undocumented migrants into Italy,” he stated. He also challenged Roberto Vannacci, a former general and influential figure within the far-right movement, by asserting that the League had already implemented many of the policies Vannacci advocates. “Vannacci proposes what the League has been doing for a long time,” Salvini said. “To block borders I risked years in prison and millions in compensation. Before listening to anyone on security and immigration, I want to see them prove themselves.” The tension between Salvini and Vannacci reflects broader divisions within the League. While both advocate for stricter border controls and anti-immigration policies, their approaches differ significantly. Vannacci has criticized the current government and called for more radical action, yet he was elected under the League’s banner and has supported some of its legislative initiatives. Salvini warned Vannacci that if he continues to vote against the government, he must decide whether he supports opposition or collaboration. “He can vote with Schlein and Conte, but if for a year he votes like the PD, he cannot say we were joking. He must choose whether he wants to stay in opposition or help the center-right.” Internal divisions within the League are expected to intensify ahead of the traditional September meeting in Pontida, where party leaders will gather to discuss strategy. Salvini has attempted to downplay these tensions, claiming that having hundreds of supporters present demonstrates unity rather than division. “Divisions in the League? I would like to say that, just like everywhere in Italy, having hundreds of people seated here is the best answer to some distracted journalist,” he remarked. However, his message to critics was clear: “Some think we should only care about Milan and Lombardy? Absolutely not.” The League, he insisted, must remain autonomous within Italy and sovereign in its dealings with Europe, resisting what he describes as the erosion of Italian rights by European institutions. As the party prepares for its next major gathering, the challenge will be to balance Salvini’s nationalist vision with the demands of regional leaders who seek greater influence. Whether this approach will succeed remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the League is navigating a complex landscape of internal pressures and external challenges, with Salvini at the helm trying to steer the ship toward a unified direction.