Roberto Vannacci challenges Matteo Salvini . Indirectly, but with a surefire outcome. The Trojan horse he chose is an amendment from two Lega Nord members very close to him—Edoardo Ziello and Rossano Sasso—calling for an immediate halt to the shipment of weapons to Kiev . This is a clear about-face on the Ukraine bill, which faces debate in the Chamber of Deputies next week.
"I agree with the amendment," is the telegraphic message from the former paratrooper who left the League last Tuesday. In the split, he lost his deputy secretary's stripes, but he's not giving up his seat in the European Parliament . In fact, he's holding on to it. "I'm not resigning as a member of the European Parliament: the votes are mine!" he insisted on social media.
Vannacci is therefore aiming to target what has long been the League's weak point: its support for President Zelensky's Ukraine. The discontent that has been brewing within the party for months is well known, but has always been quelled when it comes to voting on each new aid extension in Parliament. Until January 15th, when Ziello and Sasso themselves confirmed the distance and, the only League members in the Chamber, voted against the majority resolution , while in the Senate only Claudio Borghi did not participate in the vote. A text on which the League had dig in its heels compared to its allies, removing the term "military aid" except in the preamble.
Vannacci's move isn't surprising: it was already in the accusation launched the day after his departure. He accuses Salvini and the League of having betrayed them precisely by supporting Kiev, "subservient to the coalition" and by constantly saying one thing and voting for another. The ultimate test is expected next week in the Chamber. The amendment from the two rebel League members is weighing heavily. Diplomatically, group leader Riccardo Molinari invites them to stay, but admits: "Presenting amendments that go against the majority and party line is not correct."
The two League members, signing the amendment, are joined by Emanuele Pozzolo, a former Meloni member and one of the first to support "National Future." Together, they also presented a motion reiterating the suspension of military aid, calling on the government to divert those funds to law enforcement in Italy. In short, according to information from its leadership, the League will maintain its current stance on Kiev, taking into account the current state of the conflict and the ongoing negotiations.
(Unioneonline)
