2 hrs ago
Salvini Calls League Congress Amid Party Decline and Rivals
Matteo Salvini leads Italy’s League party, but the party has been losing support.
Some League members are also questioning whether he is the right leader.
A new far-right group called National Future has attracted former League members and is polling higher than the League.
Salvini has called a special party meeting, called a congress, for October.
He says the meeting will show that the League is united.
Political analysts think he may also be trying to strengthen his position.
The party has not yet decided whether members will vote directly on his leadership.
Italy’s next scheduled election is in 2027, although the congress has raised questions about whether an earlier election could occur.
Matteo Salvini called an extraordinary League congress for October, only 18 months after the previous one.
The move comes as the League faces internal criticism and declining support ahead of elections currently due in 2027.
Recent polls place the League below 6%, behind coalition partner Forza Italia and the rival National Future, which polls around 8%.
Salvini says the congress will demonstrate party unity, while analysts view it as an effort to reinforce his leadership.
It remains unclear whether Salvini’s leadership will be formally contested or whether members will vote only on the party’s political direction.
- Who
- Matteo Salvini, the League’s leader, along with League members, internal critics and coalition partners including Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy and Forza Italia.
- What
- Salvini called an extraordinary League congress to address party unity, leadership legitimacy and its political direction.
- Where
- The announcement was made at the League’s annual rally in Pontida, Italy, and party officials are due to meet in Milan to set congress rules.
- When
- The congress is planned for October; Italy’s next scheduled elections are due in the second half of 2027.
- Why
- The League is facing declining poll ratings, internal rivals and competition from National Future, prompting Salvini to seek to reinforce his authority.
Salvini’s Position
Internal Critics’ Position
Purpose of the congress
Salvini’s Position
Salvini says the congress will reinforce unity and present the League as more united than ever.
Internal Critics’ Position
Analysts and critics see the early congress as an effort to reinforce Salvini’s legitimacy and limit prolonged challenges to his leadership.
Party direction
Salvini’s Position
Salvini has led the League as a national far-right force after expanding it beyond its traditional northern base.
Internal Critics’ Position
Critics, including Lombardy Governor Attilio Fontana, favor renewed attention to the League’s northern roots.
Leadership challenge
Salvini’s Position
Salvini has not indicated that his leadership will be put directly at stake.
Internal Critics’ Position
The congress could provide a forum for rivals to challenge his authority, although they currently lack a clear front-runner.
Key facts
- League poll rating
- Below 6% in recent polls
- National Future poll rating
- Around 8%
- Congress timing
- October, 18 months after the previous congress
- League leader
- Matteo Salvini, leader since 2013
- Next scheduled election
- Second half of 2027
- Party board meeting
- Scheduled in Milan to agree on congress rules
- Leadership vote
- It is unclear whether Salvini’s leadership will be formally contested
Quotes
Lorenzo Castellani
Politics professor at Luiss University in Rome
“By holding a congress now, Salvini has a chance to reinforce his legitimacy before the next election and limit the ability of his critics to campaign against him over a prolonged period”
theprint.in
“He is trying to exploit the fact that his (internal) opponents currently lack a frontman”
theprint.in
Sources
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