The anti-populist 'Sardines' put
on a show of force with a big rally in Bologna on Sunday ahead
of next weekend's regional elections in Emilia-Romagna.
The 'Sardines' is a grassroots movement that has sprung up
around Italy in opposition to populist, anti-migrant policies
such as those proposed by former interior minister and League
party leader Matteo Salvini.
Salvini is campaigning hard to try to win the traditionally
leftwing region after ousting the left from another stronghold,
Umbria, last year.
The Sardines said 40,000 people attended Sunday's rally in
Bologna.
"We have realised that for many people we are the first real
alternative to the nationalism and populism of the right," said
Mattia Santori, one of the movement's leaders.
Salvini hit back, saying the Sardines want to form a
political party - something they have denied - and aim to repeal
the 'security decrees' he passed when he was interior minister
in the last government.
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