Lega Senator Massimiliano Romeo rejects Salvini’s extraordinary congress

Massimiliano Romeo, the Lega Senate group leader and Secretary of the Lega Lombarda, has publicly criticized Matteo Salvini’s announcement of an extraordinary party congress scheduled for October. Romeo described the proposed congress as a “trappolone” (trap), claiming it is a tactical maneuver intended to use the same delegates who elected Salvini as leader eighteen months ago.

Romeo stated that he, along with regional governors such as Attilio Fontana, will not participate in the event. He emphasized that the opposition is not a personal challenge to Salvini but a political one driven by the party’s declining popularity. According to Romeo, the party is in “free fall,” losing approximately 0.2% of support per month in recent polls.

The internal rift also touches on the party’s previous association with Roberto Vannacci. Romeo noted that while the party initially supported Vannacci to regain votes, his departure resulted in the loss of those voters. He highlighted widespread dissatisfaction within key regions, including Lombardy, Piedmont, and Liguria.