Reset the League to start afresh at grassroots level. Guido Guidesi speaks

Milan. Whilst Matteo Salvini, holed up in his stronghold on Via Bellerio, is counting the loyalists to be saved on the electoral lists, a short distance away, at the headquarters of the regional council led by Attilio Fontana, Guido Guidesi – the relevant councillor – is sounding an alarm that closely resembles a declaration of allegiance: “I believe the situation is more serious than what I read in the newspapers; I believe the very survival of the League is at risk, and I base this not only on the polls but also on membership figures and attendance at events and meetings,” he says. Anyone familiar with the measured manner of this man of business and government might be taken aback. But that is not the case: “Hiding this means prioritising the composition of the electoral lists over the future of our political community. It seems clear to me that we need to clarify many things: from our stance on the economy to that on Europe” – and it is well known that Guidesi truly believes in Europe. But that is not all: as the Lega, we need to reach a consensus on issues ranging “from ethical matters, to federalism, regionalism, local trade unionism, liberalism, and the balance between competences and preferences. And the compatibility between the party’s role and that of government. And, above all, on coexistence within the party between representatives from the north and the south”.

It seems – indeed, it is – a ‘J’accuse’ directed at those who are instead playing catch-up with former General Vannacci. He continues: “You can’t say ‘we’ve held a party conference’ and pretend that everything is fine. So I believe the best thing would be to pause, discuss matters, and work out what the solution might be, with everyone willing to reset internal party roles from the top down to the smallest branch”. Desperate times call for desperate measures, but with eight months to go before the election, it’s a daunting task. “I can afford to say this because, for some, I’m part of the Salvini wave, whilst for the hardcore Salvini supporters, I’m a nostalgic Northerner. The truth is that the League is my home, and I’ve already taken a step back when I resigned from Parliament to help the League and the region, as was only right.” Guidesi puts forward his proposal as a mediator: “A complete overhaul of all positions, a review of the party constitution and regulations, and a policy-setting assembly before we start afresh. If we want to save the League, we must all be willing to do this by putting personal interests aside. If, on the other hand, there’s anyone who only cares about their own skin, well, let them know that if they carry on pretending nothing’s wrong, before long there won’t be any chairs left to sit on.” And this could be the most convincing argument. Then, as a man involved in the local economy, a nudge to the business world: Lombardy “I believe must do what it is capable of doing, what it was created for: to be and represent, including at trade union level, a region, the region’s needs and the region’s interests. This is our expertise, which we also express through local councillors, regional governors, mayors, and the entire network at our disposal. I am absolutely convinced that we need to get back on track and invest in this, reversing the course taken in recent times to some extent”. With a keen eye on energy issues. According to Guidesi, in the forthcoming Budget Bill, to support the northern manufacturing sector (and here Fontana’s federalist interpretation resurfaces), the League should call for “simplification, first and foremost, because budgetary scope is limited. We need to send a signal, especially to businesses in the north. I believe that the real adversary continues to be centralism. Centralism is the enemy of development, the enemy of economic growth, and the enemy of all capacity for innovation – not only from an economic perspective but also a technological one, in every respect.” In short, according to Guido Guidesi – a Lega member from Codogno who has been passionate about his political ‘community’ all his life – the complete overhaul of a party that has become bogged down represents a return to the movement’s origins and its fundamental principles. And it is certainly not about chasing slogans on remigration and ‘round-ups’ such as those put forward by Vannacci.

“We absolutely must return to prioritising – and, in my view, perhaps even giving unique importance to – the issue of decentralisation and the regions. There is a need for this. Unfortunately, even this government needed to take more action in this regard.” It remains to be seen how Salvini will respond to Guidesi’s proposals (some signals have already emerged). For the time being, following the latest outburst led by Fontana and whilst awaiting the Pontida rally, the “rebels” seem to be wondering where their revolution is heading. With Luca Zaia on the sidelines, Giancarlo Giorgetti busy with his hypothetical bid for the highest office, and Roberto Calderoli now a prisoner of his own role. Amidst all this, the only rock-solid certainty is that Salvini will not give up. Waiting for someone to try to take up the broom, as on that distant, dramatic night of Bobo Maroni. Waiting for the re-dreaming barbarians.