Sections

Salvini makes waves in Rome anti-government protest preview

Northern League leader talks about Saturday demonstration

Redazione Ansa

(ANSA) - Rome, February 25 - Right-wing Northern League party leader Matteo Salvini made waves in Rome on Wednesday in a lead-up to his planned anti-government protest in the capital on Saturday.
    Salvini appeared at Capitoline Hill, seat of the local government and Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino, bearing a banner that read "Send Marino Home", a play on the title of Saturday's planned demonstration against the Italian premier entitled "Send Renzi Home".
    "I'm here because I hope to help the Romans retake their city because Mayor Marino is inadequate to administer a beautiful city," Salvini said.
    Meanwhile, left-wing Sel party local leader Gianluca Peciola said his party will stage a counter-protest in Rome on Saturday.
    "The League governed for years with (ex-premier Silvio) Berlusconi and now Salvini wants to act like he's new to politics. These men are dangerous and they must be stopped. On Saturday we'll demonstrate with democratic, anti-fascist and anti-racist forces," Peciola said.
    However, even members of the extreme right-wing Casa Pound party said their planned Saturday anti-government demonstration in Piazza Vittorio, which hasn't been authorized by local police, is against Salvini.
    The party tweeted: "In Piazza Vittorio we invite the Rome that doesn't want Salvini".
    Casa Pound added: "On Saturday we'll fill the streets of the city with those who are against Salvini and his hypocritical operation".
    "Now he says he wants to leave the euro, but for nine years the League was with the government," said a member of Casa Pound.
    Salvini has garnered harsh criticism for his outspoken views on the euro and immigration.
    "The euro is dead," Salvini said in a radio interview on Wednesday.
   

Leggi l'articolo completo su ANSA.it