At the recent congress of the Lombard League, where Massimiliano Romeo was elected as the new secretary, Attilio Fontana, the president of Lombardy and a longtime League member, expressed his satisfaction with the decision. “I have respected Romeo for years; he is an extremely capable person. His speech yesterday was comprehensive—a true political address, as we rarely hear. I believe he represents a solid guide for the challenges ahead,” Fontana remarked.
Fontana emphasized the importance of addressing issues specific to Northern Italy, stating, “We must talk about the North.” He criticized the perception that Northern concerns are merely local issues, asserting, “The problems of the North are national problems. If Northern productivity slows, it harms all of Italy. We cannot allow local interests to become a crisis for the entire country.” Despite the League’s transformation into a national party under Matteo Salvini, Fontana insists that the difficulties facing the North should not be overlooked.
Addressing the government’s approach, Fontana pointed to the urgent need for differentiated autonomy. “It depends on what kind of autonomy is approved,” he explained, noting potential issues highlighted by the Constitutional Court. He believes that while autonomy could be a crucial solution, it must be well-structured. Fontana concluded by rejecting the divisive North-South narrative, stressing that growth in the North benefits the entire nation, stating, “If the North has more resources, they can be reinvested for the benefit of Italy as a whole.”
