by InTrieste
Matteo Salvini, Italy’s deputy prime minister, was re-elected leader of the right-wing Lega on Sunday, securing a fourth term through 2030 despite internal criticism of his leadership.
Salvini defeated Senator Massimo Garavaglia by 465 votes to 146 at the party’s congress in Milan, winning about 76 percent of the 611 votes cast. Garavaglia, a former tourism minister, had called for greater attention to the party’s northern base, where discontent with Salvini’s leadership has grown.
The congress also introduced a new party logo, replacing the words “Salvini premier” with “Lega Italia federale,” a return to the party’s federalist roots under its founder, Umberto Bossi.
Salvini said he would press the government to stop sending money and weapons to Ukraine, arguing that the war should be ended through negotiations. The position could create tensions within Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s coalition, whose government has consistently supported Kyiv.
Meloni congratulated Salvini on his re-election and pledged continued cooperation. The Lega, however, faces challenges ahead of Italy’s 2027 general election, with recent polling placing it at around 4 to 5 percent.
Although Salvini’s victory was widely expected, Garavaglia’s share of the vote highlighted continuing divisions
