Lupi’s Candidacy for Milan Mayor Divides Center-Right Coalition: Lega Opposes, Forza Italia Split
Milan, May 11 – The potential candidacy of Maurizio Lupi as the center-right’s mayoral candidate for Milan has thrown the coalition into disarray, revealing deep divisions, particularly within Forza Italia and drawing opposition from Lega. Lupi, leader of Noi Moderati, has found a key backer in Ignazio La Russa, but faces a fragmented front as parties struggle to coalesce around a single name.
The day began with an unexpected endorsement for Lupi. Despite Forza Italia’s longstanding preference for a civic candidate, Licia Ronzulli publicly expressed support for Lupi at the ‘Futuro Direzione Nord’ event. “I believe Milan needs a greater sense of political responsibility. We haven’t seen it for too many years, and I think the time has come,” Ronzulli stated, adding, “Lupi? He is the only name to have put forward his candidacy, he is a well-known person, a seasoned politician, and also a politician with vision, so why not?”
Lupi, buoyed by this support, quickly responded, “I am happy that finally there are no vetoes, it has been understood that there is no need for X Factor. The issue is politics that in Milan must return to being a protagonist as it is at a national level. And I am pleased that finally someone has understood this.”
However, Lupi’s optimism was short-lived. While Forza Italia offered no further official comments, internal dissent emerged, with regional councilor Giulio Gallera expressing a desire to contend for the position himself rather than support a political candidate from another party. More significantly, allies publicly voiced their opposition.
Samuele Piscina, provincial secretary of the Lega, made his stance clear: “I believe that today the citizens of Milan are asking for something different from the center-right, a real turning point, with a new, authoritative and credible name, capable of attracting transversal consensus, from the center to the suburbs. Several names have emerged, including that of Lupi, a figure of experience and a valuable ally, but it is clear that to date his name has not managed to unite the entire center-right.”
Piscina suggested looking elsewhere, emphasizing the need “to gather around a table to quickly identify a super partes figure with political and managerial skills, who knows how to speak to the real city and build a strong proposal for Milan.”
Further complicating Lupi’s path, Carlo Calenda of Azione also rejected his candidacy. Azione had previously indicated a willingness to align with the right in Milan if a civic candidate were chosen, but not under La Russa’s preferred political line. “Lupi knows that we will never support him,” Calenda asserted, adding, “and Ronzulli represents the wing of Forza Italia that tries to keep the bar as far right as possible.”
These developments suggest that the center-right coalition in Milan is back to square one, with the internal divisions seemingly deeper than before as they search for a unified candidate for the upcoming mayoral elections.
