ITALY - LEGA

Party: Lega per Salvini Premier / Lega / League  

(formerly Northern League)

Leader: Matteo Salvini 

Type leader: Salvini is viewed by progressive critics as a populist authoritarian leader known for his hardline and confrontational approach to immigration and border control, including calling for law enforcement crackdowns on undocumented asylum seekers and other immigrants. He is viewed by critics as xenophobic and racist toward North Africans, who see his rhetoric as divisive and incendiary. His opposition to an independent judiciary and his attacks on judges contribute to a view of Salvini as an autocrat.

% National Vote: Lega became a major political party in the March 2018 election, with 17.4% of the popular vote. However, in the most recent general election in 2022, which elevated right-wing rival Giorgia Meloni to Prime Minister, Lega received only 9% of the vote. 

Position in Government: Since 2022, Salvini has been serving as a Deputy Prime Minister of Italy (along with Antonio Tajani, leader of Forza Italia). Lega representatives have been members of several coalition governments in Italy, including Meloni’s current coalition government.  

Platform: Lega is known especially for its anti-immigration, Eurosceptic position, advocating for much stricter immigration policies and greater regional autonomy. 

European Parliament: Lega won 9% of the Italian vote in the 2024 European legislative elections (down from 34% in 2019) and joined the new right-wing Patriots for Europe alliance.