ROME – In the front room of the office Matteo Salvini there are triptychs by contemporary artists, Chiara Dynyswhich is titled like this: No burden. No burden. But the man who opened the door to his studio at MIT after the regional elections in Veneto gave a different impression. He seemed to consider his personal torment behind him. He is not a wounded lion ready to face anything. Venice, the great electoral center, after months of futility and frustration in the North. However, there was no time to ask Luka Zaiawho called: there he was, the Doge who came out. «Luca, see you later, I’m here at the ministry, let me know when you land». Face to face at tourist attractions.
Minister Salvini, the League’s success in Veneto is its victory. And Zaia. Will this change the balance of the majority?
“But no, for us the agreement remains valid. Veneto was a success resulting from the generosity of the coalition. In the first European elections the parties were different, the proportions between Lega and FdI were the opposite. We have taken advantage of a capable ruling class with 161 mayors. We chose one of them, Alberto Stefani32 years old, who will now become Italy’s youngest governor. The team won.”
Agreements that must be respected. So now Lombardy will enter FdI?
“The vote has been going on for more than two years, it is too early to talk about it now. There is no veto, we have no exceptions if the allies want to give any indication. The agreement with the FdI stipulates that the candidate is put forward by the party that gets the most votes. If Lombardy votes at a reasonable deadline, we will see in the political elections which will be the strongest party.”
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Don’t you think there will be an early vote for Pirellone?
“We’re trying to get the vote on a reasonable deadline, I’m not predicting the future.”
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What will Zaia do with her 203K likes?
“I will meet him and talk to him about it. He achieved extraordinary results. We’ll see if he wants to stay in the Region, in the spring there will be elections for the mayor of Venice. There is one single member who will leave Stefani.”
In North Korea, one section of the League called for a split of the party, following the CDU-CSU model. Don’t you mind?
“I am willing to negotiate with everyone, but my mind is on 2027 policy, I will not start reorganizing the party less than a year and a half before the vote.”
Vannacci was considered by many to be a nuisance because of his ways.
“I remember the release Gentlemen or from Borghezio! He’s one of the team, I chose him as deputy secretary like Stefani. I always tell all my parents: work more, talk less.”
In the ’27 election, will Meloni be the coalition’s candidate for prime minister?
“The prime minister is fine, I hope he continues.”
And what does Salvini want to do when he grows up? Return to the Ministry of Home Affairs?
“Now I’m just thinking about my current role at MIT. After the vote, we’ll talk about it again.”
Is it true for policy that you are thinking of changing the symbol?
“We have several proposals to modernize it. Considering that Meloni will be a candidate for prime minister, it is curious to keep the words “Prime Minister Salvini”. Alberto da Giussano, however, will remain.”
election law. Would you prefer to retain single-member constituencies?
“That is one of my least favorite things in life. It must be guaranteed that whoever wins will govern. And the opposition must be included. I am neutral when it comes to majorities and proportions. What is important is to strengthen the bonds of elected representatives with their region.”
Will the Strait Bridge continue despite the judge’s objections? When does construction start?
“I’m eager to read the finer points from the Court of Auditors’ point of view. If our deductions are accepted, we’ll leave in February. If not, we’ll start in June. Anyway, let’s go.”
The start of construction has been announced several times but has always been postponed. Is this all the judge’s fault?
“Ninth. The Court of Auditors has reached the end, first Europe asked us for additional information and even the environmental investigation took a few more months. I am determined: today the Chinese ambassador came to visit me and the first thing he asked me was the situation of the bridge. Of course, it was complicated to explain to him about the Court of Auditors, they have the shortest supply chain in China.”
From China let’s move to Russia and Ukraine. Do you approve of the US plan as is?
“He is extraordinary, ambitious, even though some people ridicule him. But the only ones who have to make decisions are the parties in the conflict, Putin And Zelensky. I hope nothing gets in the way.”
Will the EU always get in the way because they put forward a counter plan?
“Yes. Let’s work on the draft TrumpI agree with the Prime Minister’s words.”
For many people, the initial plan is surrender.
“Let’s let Ukraine decide whether Zelensky does it first… The impression is that someone in Paris and Berlin has internal problems and wants to continue the war, perhaps to sell weapons.”
Would you vote to renew military aid to Kiev?
“We always do, but the issue of corruption cannot be ignored. We want to see clearly before moving forward. If there was a peace deal, then this issue would not arise. If the conflict ends, I already have a list of hundreds of businessmen who want to go to Ukraine for reconstruction and to Russia to reopen trade routes.”
What do you really think about Zelensky?
“I’ve never met him, I don’t judge people I don’t know.”
What about Putin?
«I’ve seen it twice in my life, even here I can’t judge people I don’t know. I hope they both accept Trump’s peace proposal.”
When will he meet Trump?
“The trip to the US was scheduled for December, but they scheduled my trial at the Supreme Court regarding Open Arms. I will go there after the Olympics.”
Why are center-right groups, starting with the League, slowing down the rape bill? There is bipartisan agreement.
“Recurrent and intolerable episodes of violence must stop, but we must leave as little room as possible for discretion. I have read the rule: current and free consent… We must avoid exposing anyone, man or woman, to anyone seeking revenge for a relationship that ended badly.”
