Umberto Bossi has died: farewell to the soul of the League

Umberto Bossi has died. The senator was the soul of the Lega and was 84 years old. The death occurred at the Circolo Hospital in Varese. Born on September 19, 1941 in Cassano Magnago in the province of Varese, Bossi began his political engagement in the early 1970s in the communist group of the manifesto, in the Party of Proletarian Unity for Communism, in the ARCI; but after a few years, he moved closer to the cause and the autonomist and federalist ideas following his meeting with Bruno Salvatori, who was very close to the Union Valdôtaine. In 1979, he met Roberto Maroni with whom he began a long political partnership, and in the early 1980s, he founded the Lega Autonomista Lombarda, which would later become the Lega Lombarda; he was elected national secretary until 1993 before launching the project of the Lega Nord. In the political elections of 1987, Bossi was elected for the first time as senator, hence the name Senatùr by which he is still known today. In 1989, he founded the Lega Nord where he definitively united the Lega Lombarda, the Liga Veneta, the Piemònt Autonomista, the Union Ligure, the Lega Emiliano-Romagnola, and the Alleanza Toscana, becoming its secretary for about 20 years.

In these moments, tributes and memories from many colleagues. "With all of Forza Italia, I mourn the passing of Umberto Bossi, historic leader and founder of the Lega. A great friend of Silvio Berlusconi, a politician of great intelligence, he was a key player in the change in Italy. To his family, a big hug and a prayer for him to rest in peace." This was written on X by the Deputy Prime Minister and leader of Forza Italia Antonio Tajani.

"I greet with affection and nostalgia Umberto Bossi, an indomitable fighter, a rough and uncomfortable man, but also profoundly good. He marked the history of Italian politics: he deserves the respect not only of friends but also of his opponents." This was stated in a note by Pier Ferdinando Casini.