Vannacci quits Lega and launches new far right party deepening centre right rift

Rome — Roberto Vannacci, a former army general elected to the European Parliament, has formally broken with Matteo Salvini’s Lega after just eighteen months, launching a new political movement, Futuro Nazionale, and announcing his intention to stand independently at Italy’s 2027 general election. The split has reopened tensions within Italy’s centre-right coalition, particularly over foreign policy and the war in Ukraine.

Vannacci, who entered politics via the Lega ticket, framed his departure as a rejection of what he portrayed as Italy’s alignment with Western military priorities. In a statement published on social media, he said he was “chasing a dream” of an Italy that is “sovereign, secure, prosperous and exclusive”, criticising continued military and financial support for Kyiv and calling for a sharp break with what he described as externally imposed agendas. Futuro Nazionale, whose symbol he registered in January, is now officially operational.

Salvini reacted angrily, accusing Vannacci of disloyalty and questioning his sense of honour. The Lega leader claimed that the party had maintained a responsible and coherent line on Ukraine in line with Italy’s international commitments, despite internal debate, and ruled out any future alliance with the new party.

The claim, however, sits uneasily with the League’s record. Salvini has repeatedly voiced scepticism over NATO, sanctions on Russia and arms deliveries to Ukraine, positions that have periodically resurfaced despite Italy’s formal alignment with Kyiv. Since entering government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Salvini has largely fallen into line with the official pro-Ukraine stance, though only after pressure from the prime minister, whose authority has at times been decisive in enforcing coalition discipline.

Senior League figures closed ranks behind the leadership. Veneto governor Luca Zaia said Vannacci had been welcomed “like a prince” but had repeatedly taken positions incompatible with the party, particularly on Ukraine and relations with the European Union. He accused the MEP of having planned his departure in advance and suggested that, having been elected under the League’s banner, he should consider resigning his European mandate.

The rupture became irreversible after Vannacci openly urged colleagues to vote against a European Parliament resolution supporting continued assistance to Ukraine, directly contradicting the government line endorsed by Meloni. Shortly after his resignation, the Patriots for Europe group in Brussels announced that he was no longer a member, citing political incompatibility, while confirming that its relationship with the League remained unchanged.

Early polling suggests Futuro Nazionale could attract around 4 per cent of the vote, drawing support from voters hostile to sanctions on Russia, military aid to Ukraine and Italy’s Atlanticist orientation. Vannacci is reportedly seeking to position the party as an Italian counterpart to Germany’s AfD and a rallying point for the hard right.

For now, the split has unsettled Italy’s right-wing camp, exposing unresolved ideological divisions within the League and underlining the fragile balance holding together the broader centre-right coalition as the next electoral cycle approaches.

PS