Mass Demonstration in Milan Highlights Political Tensions
On Saturday, thousands participated in the “Masters in Our Own Home” demonstration in Milan, organized by the League and the European Patriots Group. The event attracted around 2,000 marchers who processed through the city center, led by federation mayors operating tractors and wearing tricolor sashes to showcase support for Made in Italy.
At the event, League leader and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini opened by commemorating Giacomo Bongiorni, a victim of violence in Massa. He expressed sentiments of community responsibility, stating the importance of not allowing tragic incidents to go unnoticed. Additionally, he honored the League’s founder, Umberto Bossi, who passed away on March 19.
Salvini later turned his attention to Viktor Orbán, the former Hungarian Prime Minister, who recently lost his election. He lauded Orbán’s commitment to border security and action against human and arms trafficking, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration in the quest for freedom and adherence to the rule of law.
Revised Immigration Policies Proposed
In discussing immigration, Salvini detailed a vision for a new citizenship framework that emphasizes the skills of migrants. He stated that immigration should not be equated with indiscriminate expulsions but rather should involve a system of residence permits akin to a points-based driving license. With this approach, he conveyed that benefits, including access to free healthcare, would be contingent upon adherence to regulations. Accumulating too many failures would result in return to one’s home country.
The deputy prime minister reiterated his stance on prioritizing immigration from nations that share similar cultural and ethical values with Italy. He asserted that this would foster genuine integration and counteract the chaos perpetuated by what he terms the globalist left, which undermines wage stability for factory workers.
Critique of EU Economic Strategies
Salvini also delivered a scathing critique of the European Union’s economic directives, firmly opposing the idea of an energy blockade. He called for a moratorium on the Stability Pact rules and a more strategic deployment of Italian funds to aid citizens in need. Additionally, he advocated for lifting sanctions on Russian gas, drawing a parallel with the United States’ resumption of energy trade with Moscow. His comments painted the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund as ineffective entities failing to meet the needs of European nations.
European Leaders Rally Behind Salvini
Several European leaders affiliated with the Patriots for Europe initiative joined the stage to underscore the importance of border protection. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš remarked that these patriots symbolize a Europe committed to safeguarding its boundaries. Geert Wilders, founder of the Freedom Party in the Netherlands, condemned recent violent incidents involving immigrants in Milan, advocating for a halt to immigration from Islamic nations, which he deemed as a source of criminality.
Among the international delegation were notable figures such as France’s Jourdan Bardera, Spain’s Santiago Abascal, and Austria’s Udo Landbauer. Bardera posited that a victory for the French National Assembly would resonate beyond France, empowering all European nations. Abascal criticized the mass regularization of migrants under Spain’s current administration, emphasizing the need for unity among patriots to reinforce border security—an initiative already being pursued by Salvini’s administration. Landbauer expressed concerns regarding the erosion of European cultural identity, labeling the current circumstances as a significant threat to the continent’s cherished values.
Counter-Protests Erupt Amid Rally
Simultaneously, tensions escalated in Milan as counter-protests emerged from various social groups. Approximately 5,000 demonstrators took to the streets, chanting against what they termed fascist sentiments and attempting to breach police barricades. Authorities employed water cannons to disperse crowds throwing projectiles, including firecrackers and bottles. Following these confrontations, a contingent of Antifa demonstrated nearby, voicing their opposition to the presence of the patriots in Milan’s city center.
