by InTrieste
Roberto Vannacci, a former Italian army general and one of the most polarizing figures on the country’s right, has formally left the Lega party, marking a significant rupture within Italy’s conservative camp and signaling the start of a new political project.
The decision was confirmed on February 3 during a meeting of the Lega’s Federal Council, ending weeks of speculation and months of growing tension between Mr. Vannacci and the party leadership. His departure brings to a close his association with the party that began when he was appointed deputy secretary under Matteo Salvini, the Lega’s leader.
Mr. Vannacci, who gained national prominence for his outspoken views and controversial public statements, had already taken steps toward an independent political path. He recently registered the name and symbol of a new movement, Futuro Nazionale, suggesting plans to build a separate political platform. Until recently, however, he had publicly denied any intention of leaving the Lega, despite signs of an increasingly strained relationship with the party.
The split has drawn sharp criticism from local representatives in Friuli Venezia Giulia, where Mr. Vannacci’s departure was described as “disruptive” and “ill-timed” by regional officials. They expressed concern that his exit could weaken the party’s cohesion in the region and complicate coordination with other conservative forces ahead of upcoming elections.
The move underscores broader divisions within Italy’s right wing, where debates continue over ideology, leadership and strategy. While the Lega has sought to balance its traditional nationalist rhetoric with a more institutional role in government, Mr. Vannacci has cultivated a more uncompromising profile, appealing to voters disenchanted with mainstream party politics.
Neither Mr. Salvini nor Mr. Vannacci offered detailed public explanations for the break, but party officials described the separation as the outcome of irreconcilable political differences. Observers say the move could further fragment the right-wing electorate, already divided among the Lega, the far-right Brothers of Italy and smaller conservative forces.
It remains unclear whether Futuro Nazionale will take the form of a formal party or an electoral list, or how much support Mr. Vannacci will be able to attract beyond his existing base. Still, his exit from the Lega highlights the ongoing volatility of Italy’s political landscape, where personal leadership and ideological identity continue to shape alliances as much as party structures.
