Matteo Salvini

Matteo Salvini, born in Milan, is a professional journalist and served as editor of the newspaper and Radio Padania from 1999 to 2013. A member of the Lega Nord since 1990, he has held several leadership roles within the party, including Head of the Youth Group of Milan (1994–1997), Provincial Secretary of Lega Nord Milan (1998–2004), and City Councillor of Milan (1993–2012). He was a Member of the European Parliament from 2004 to 2006 and again in 2009 and 2014. In 2008 he was elected to the Italian Chamber of Deputies, resigning in 2009 when he was re-elected to the European Parliament. In 2013 he was again elected to the Chamber of Deputies and, in the same year, elected Federal Secretary of Lega Nord, confirmed in 2017 and again at the 2025 congress with a mandate extended until 2029.

In the 2018 general election, Lega won about 17% of the vote, becoming the most voted party within the centre-right coalition. Following an agreement with the Movimento 5 Stelle, Salvini served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior in the Conte I Government (1 June 2018 – 5 September 2019). In the 2019 European elections, Lega obtained over 34% of the vote, confirming itself as Italy’s leading party. After a period in opposition during the Conte II Government, he supported the Draghi Government in 2021. Since 22 October 2022, he has served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport in the Meloni Government.
In 2025, he presented an investment plan of approximately €204 billion for public works, energy, railways, station security, regional networks, and a national water plan. He promoted the Ecological Transition linked to events such as Milano-Cortina 2026, supported the Strait of Messina Bridge project, and outlined infrastructure and urban development plans at the Meeting di Rimini. In 2025, he addressed the appeal by the Palermo Public Prosecutor’s Office in the “Diciotti” case and in 2026 managed internal tensions within Lega. He is the author of the autobiographical book Secondo Matteo. Follia e coraggio per cambiare il paese (2016). His political career has been marked by consistent grassroots engagement and a prominent role in both the national and European contexts.