“I don’t like those parachuted into the League. I won’t support General Vannacci’s candidacy for the European elections.” The stance you don’t expect, a sign that there is an air of turmoil in the Northern League, comes from the Northern League group leader in the city council Matteo Zoccarato. In open rupture – in the wake of the governors of the North East Fedriga and Zaia, the former minister Centinaio and other bigwigs – with the decision of the secretary Salvini, who nominated the general in the constituency of central Italy, where he resides, as leader. A decision fully supported by Jacopo Morrone, parliamentarian and secretary of the Lega Romagna: “I follow the position of the federal secretary and I agree with it completely. I think Salvini made the right choice. I think it is intelligent to nominate different figures, even with ideas and different positions on some issues. The choice is enriched by voters. I don’t think that only people who see exactly the same way on everything should be candidates.”
But on the merits, do you agree with what Vannacci claims? “I just said it – adds Morrone -, I don’t think it should be like this. I deal with the territory, security, Bolkestein directive, concrete problems. The guiding principles of the League have never changed: more Italy in Europe, competing on an equal footing with the EU and not as subjects. The basic principles remain”.
Zoccarato, on the other hand, has a completely different opinion regarding the general’s candidacy: “In the election campaign I will certainly support the historic candidates of the League, who have distinguished themselves over the years and have worked for the party. I will help there. I have never tolerated the idea of the paratroopers. Among other things, Vannaci has never denied that he has no particular interest in the League. Even not? “We will have on our lists – adds Zoccarato – many candidates from the area”. For the moment the only official candidate for Romagna (the constituency also includes Veneto, Alto Adige and Friuli Venezia Giulia) is the Imola regional councilor Daniele Marchetti.
As for the merit of Vannacci’s stance? “One may like his figure or not – comments the Northern League group leader – but the League is not a train to Brussels. Furthermore, moving the party to the right has never been the League’s line, at least since I joined it in 2008 We will do well to focus on the regional elections, which will be held in the autumn of this year if governor Bonaccini goes to Brussels. Certainly in a phase of instability in the League, Vannacci’s candidacy does not help.”
Morrone doesn’t make predictions about the European Championships. However, he is unbalanced on the result in Valmarecchia: “We could be the first party, not only in the coalition but overall. We have done a good job over the years, bringing nine municipalities back to Romagna”.
