Italian Deputy PM Matteo Salvini says immigration, not Russia, is Italy's main threat

In a televised interview on TG3, Italy’s deputy prime minister and Lega leader Matteo Salvini asserted that Russia does not pose a threat to Europe or Italy. He argued that the real danger for Italians is illegal, clandestine immigration, especially of an extremist Islamic nature. Salvini also addressed his party’s position within the centre‑right coalition, saying his desire to be inside or outside the coalition “counts zero” while noting that coalition partners are currently voting against the government on issues such as housing. He referenced polling trends, his personal electoral record in Milan and the European Parliament, and an amendment on preferential votes in the new electoral law. Additionally, he mentioned ongoing work on a migration pact in parliamentary committees and expressed uncertainty about future government participation in a summit organized by U.S. senator Marco Rubio against “red terrorism.”