Lega, Garavaglia: "I'm running for congress". Salvini: "The more we are, the better"

Garavaglia's words

"There is a congress. I am from the League and I am running" also to say "that we are not a far-right party. We are federalists and we are the party of the territories". Thus the senator told ANSA. "They portray us as extreme but that's not the case. The League is the League", he added, underlining that he had also spoken about his candidacy with the governor of Lombardy Attilio Fontana: "Of course, he is a friend. But I have many friends throughout Italy".

Salvini's reaction

"Good. I've called a congress so that there are people who can run, make proposals, bring ideas, present motions. So good, the more people there are who bring ideas, the better." Thus the deputy prime minister and leader of the League Matteo Salvini, in the press point at the European Parliament before the Patriots meeting in view of the European Council, commented on the announcement of Massimo Garavaglia's candidacy at the party congress. On any other candidatures he added: "The more the better. I am convinced of my ideas and the militants will decide what the League is and will be. The more people get involved the better".

Garavaglia's profile

Born in '68, from Cuggiono, in the province of Milan, Garavaglia is a historic exponent of the League, a Bocconi scholar and a business consultant by profession. His political career began as mayor of the municipality of Marcallo con Casone in '99. Then, various legislatures: he arrived in Parliament for the first time in 2006. Candidate on the lists of the 'Northern League - Movement for Autonomy' in the Lombardy 1 constituency in fourth position, he was elected thanks to the resignation of Umberto Bossi to maintain the position of MEP. In 2013 he was appointed budget councilor by the new president of the Lombardy regional council Roberto Maroni.

Garavaglia also has experience at Palazzo Chigi: former Minister of Tourism with the Draghi government, and before that undersecretary and deputy minister at the MEF with Conte primo and bis. Senator in the 19th legislature, he now holds the position of president of the 6th Finance and Treasury Commission and is a member of the parliamentary commission for regional issues.

In 2015 he was investigated for bid rigging in the investigation that led to the arrest of the vice president of the Region Mario Mantovani on charges of having piloted a tender worth 11 million euros per year for the transport of dialysis patients. In July 2019 Garavaglia was acquitted "for not having committed the crime" and in March 2022 the Milan Court of Appeal confirmed the acquittal.