Jonghi Lavarini’s black outfit spoils Vannacci’s march in Milan

General Roberto Vannacci is making a fresh start in Milan. Roberto Jonghi Lavarini has already summoned him to the first Federal Council meeting – quite the opposite, in fact. Lavarini is also known as the ‘Black Baron’, the man who organises dinners to commemorate the March on Rome, and a few days ago he officially joined Futuro Nazionale. And he is already sending out signals: ‘The organisation of FN in Milan absolutely must be overhauled’.

The campaign has slowed down and, to regain momentum, Vannacci is organising election stands in Piazza Oberdan with Carmelo Burgio, his mayoral candidate (another general) in the Lombard capital, as well as private dinners. The general does not believe the polls that initially propelled him but which now show him slipping in the ratings. “They’re rigged. I conduct the real polls on the street.” Yesterday’s event saw the participation of his supporters, but also some protests when Vannacci decided to take a walk around the Duomo to show solidarity with the shops devastated by the clashes of recent weeks. Also present at the stall for Burgio were Laura Ravetto and the Lombardy coordinator, Luca Ferrazzi. Among the newly registered members was Lavarini, a well-known figure on Milan’s radical right and a liaison officer with the Russian ultra-nationalist Aleksandr Dugin, with whom he boasts of having ties: he has also been an advocate of an alliance between the general and Fabrizio Corona. Although his party membership was only formalised last Friday, he had certainly spent months as an ‘external observer’ – though one with a more than substantial say in matters. And now, as a fully-fledged member, “I expect even more”, he said. From the involvement of activists in the running of the party to “absolute transparency and strict meritocracy” in selecting leaders and candidates. Elements which, it seems, have been largely absent until now. The baron is also calling for a position befitting his stature: “To be able to work to the best of my ability, I need – without false or hypocritical modesty – a role that is worthy and appropriate.” Vannacci is taking note, and yesterday, raising the issue of security once more, he made it clear that he would attend a commemoration of the March on Rome: “Why not?” He would, however, steer clear of 25 April, which “is divisive”.

As for Jonghi Lavarini, however, it cannot be entirely ruled out that the general might not listen to him. In recent months, after all, his fiercely heated online row – revealed by Il Foglio – with Luca Sforzini, director of the ‘Centro studi Rinascimento nazionale’ (“A genuine Nazi”, “It’s not an insult to me”) ended with the latter’s expulsion from Fn. But the manoeuvring continues. While Vannacci is drawing on the slightly ‘Nazi’-leaning far right, those who have left or been expelled are looking around. All the more so now that the centre-right is seeking to broaden its base. Sforzini himself is reportedly in talks with Forza Italia in Piedmont. Is this true? “Discussions,” he replies, “are underway with all centre-right parties, at national rather than regional level.”