Lega

Lega, commonly referred to simply as Lega and previously as Lega Nord (Northern League), is an Italian political party. It originated in 1991 as a federation of northern regional parties led by Umberto Bossi, promoting greater regional autonomy for northern Italy and, at its peak, secessionist aspirations for Padania. Over time it broadened its platform beyond the north and adopted a national agenda. In the late 2010s the party rebranded as Lega to reflect national ambitions and to distance the brand from its regional roots; under leader Matteo Salvini it positioned itself as a right-wing populist and national-conservative force focused on immigration control, law and order, tax reform, and Euroscepticism. The party emphasizes decentralization and greater regional powers, coupled with a hard line on immigration and, in some frames, a skeptical view of European integration.

Lega has been a major player in Italian politics, participating in government coalitions at the national level and leading regional governments in the north. It entered national government briefly in 2018–2019 in coalition with the Five Star Movement, with Salvini serving as interior minister during that period. It has since remained a leading force in the center-right coalition, and in elections for the European Parliament and the Italian Parliament has repeatedly topped the center-right share of votes. The party is Eurosceptic, favoring reforms or rethinking of EU economic policy, but has usually sought to present itself as a defender of ordinary Italians and regional autonomy rather than as a pure ideologue.

In the European Union, Lega sits with the Identity and Democracy group in the European Parliament.