Where are the new tensions between Urso and the League heading?

It was common knowledge that there was no love lost between the parties. Yet in the last few hours, the already particularly turbulent relationship between the League and the Minister for Enterprise and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, has seen a new chapter added. It was, in fact, the President of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana – one of the leading figures in the so-called ‘League of the Regions’ – who brought the matter to light. “He doesn’t like us, we’re a thorn in his side, and as soon as he can, he sticks two fingers in our eyes,” said Fontana, referring to the head of the Mimit, who, in his view, is guilty of having played down the establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for the north, as demanded by the northern regional presidents. “Urso said yes to the SEZ for Lombardy, but no money. What use is that to me? So that means you’re really taking the p*** out of me,” was the expression used by Fontana at a Lega party. Urso subsequently played down the incident, saying he had been called by the governor, who apologised for his “clumsy remark”. But it is clear that this reflects a relationship between the Carroccio and Urso that remains problematic. Given that even regional councillors such as the Venetian Lega member Rigo are calling for an end to “racism towards the north”.

When he found himself under attack from industrialists over the defunding of Transizione 5.0, as well as the delays by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) in approving the decree on business incentives, Urso had immediately passed the buck to Minister Giorgetti (and also to the Secretary-General of State, Perrotta). There had also been tensions during the discussions on the excise duty cut. This was a measure strongly backed by Salvini but opposed by Urso, who would have preferred the refinancing of the social cards. Such differences could resurface in the approval of the Competition Bill, which is due to be finalised by the Council of Ministers on Thursday, following last week’s postponement. There had been frank exchanges between Urso’s team and the regional presidents of Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Stefani and Fedriga, regarding the future of the Electrolux factories. In short, Fontana’s departure may not be the final chapter.