Il cammino interrotto della Lega al Sud. Opportunità e limiti di un insediamento annunciato

The paper illustrates the penetration strategies of Salvini’s League in Southern Italy, particularly after the 2018 general elections. The League’s strategies are closely observed in three territorial contexts: Calabria, Campania and Sicily. For each of these three regions, the article presents the choices made by the League and the ways of building a new local political class loyal to the party. The analysis shows that in all three regions there is a very important role of the party in central office in the selection of candidates and the definition of party positions, while a less important role is played by the local political class. This has led to strong conflicts and dissatisfaction among the new “leghisti” in these three regions. In fact, they do not find the political space they would like and that the party in central office doesn’t want to grant. Therefore, the path taken by the League in the South seems full of obstacles. Consequently, the new direction given to the Lega by Salvini, who wants to make the Northern League a true national party, is very uncertain.