Salvini Re-elected Lega Secretary with 465 Votes

Matteo Salvini was re-elected federal secretary of the League party at a congress in Milan, receiving 465 votes out of 611 cast. His challenger, Massimo Garavaglia, collected 146 votes, representing 24 percent of the total. Of the 707 members entitled to vote, 614 registered and 611 cast ballots.

Salvini secured 76 percent of the vote and immediately embraced Garavaglia on stage after the result was announced. He thanked his rival for running and said those who voted for him and those who backed Garavaglia must now move forward together.

“I can no longer tolerate the League being considered a second-tier ally in any region where the centre-right governs.”

In his speech, Salvini warned he would no longer accept the League being treated as a second-tier ally in regions where the centre-right governs. He said the party had made compromises, sometimes going the extra mile toward coalition partners, and demanded respect because numbers matter.

Salvini also addressed reports that some officials had sent WhatsApp messages urging members not to attend events in Pontida or Milan. He called the episode a betrayal of League membership and said he would no longer tolerate militants being treated as enemies.

On foreign policy, Salvini said the congress had given him a clear mandate to call in the cabinet for a halt to weapons and money for Ukraine. He stressed that while others may now need to reflect on other fronts, the League had remained loyal for four years.

Looking ahead, Salvini said the government could continue until the last day as citizens requested. He predicted Meloni would return as premier and the League would be at least the second party in the coalition, adding that he would be absolutely inflexible for the good of the movement.