Politics
from our correspondent •
Pontida hails Romeo. Salvini prepares the ‘guillotine’. The empty field
Activists cheer on the Lombardy secretary, while Lazio supporters respond by backing the secretary; a brawl breaks out. Brief speeches are delivered on stage. The day begins with a tribute to Bossi
Pontida, from our correspondent. Empty, empty, empty. Pontida is empty. Supporters are chanting for Romeo, whilst some are shouting ‘Matteo’. Even within the League, opinions are divided. Romeo is winning; Attilio Fontana, the ‘hidalgo’, is winning. Whistles, megaphones. A brawl breaks out between the young Romeo supporters and the Lazio supporters chanting ‘Matteo’.
The flags are those of Lombardy, the T-shirts are those of Lombardy. It is the Lombards’ stronghold. Everyone is speaking. But keep it brief. Molinari attacks Vannacci, who has written a programme “drafted in a Munich pub”. It is not a celebration but a farewell; it is not a gathering but an Indian reservation.
The most moving moment is the recollection of Bossi. It will end badly. Savoini, Salvini’s adviser and friend of the Kremlin, foreshadows this: “After Pontida, Salvini will go the way of Zac.” Either they leave, or they will end up like they did in Paris in Marat’s day.