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

The founder and former secretary of the Northern League Umberto Bossi passed away this evening at the hospital in Varese. For several weeks, his health had appeared precarious. In the evening, the situation deteriorated until his death, which occurred around 8:30 PM.

Father of four children and husband of Manuela Marrone, Bossi had long retired to his home in Gemonio, in the province of Varese, leaving politics, which he had marked for about a twenty-year period as secretary of the Northern League. In recent years, the temptation to lead the rebels of the so-called Northern Committee, who wanted to revive the “hard and pure” League of the origins, had also lasted little. But even though it has profoundly changed its nature, the League is sincerely mourning the Senatur, as the former secretary was commonly called, in these hours. So much so that they canceled scheduled events, despite the referendum on Justice being just around the corner.

«The entire League community is deeply shaken and saddened by the passing of founder Umberto Bossi and extends its affection and emotion to his family. All scheduled appointments for Friday are canceled» wrote the Carroccio in a statement, adding that the same secretary Matteo Salvini has canceled all appointments and that he will return to Milan on the first flight.

«Umberto. The Boss. This news brings me great pain and fills me with sadness. Lombardy will never forget you», commented the president of Regione Lombardia, Attilio Fontana, one of the most important political creations of Bossi. "We have lost a man - added Fontana - who dedicated his entire life to politics, who changed the history of Italy, who was able to anticipate the times and give voice to millions of people who felt distant from politics. The voice of the North".

Fontana thanked his Umberto and recalled one of the last initiatives dedicated to Bossi: «A couple of years ago, when I decided to award you the Rosa Camuna, the highest honor of the Regione Lombardia, someone criticized me, asking if I was really convinced. Words that in no way diminished my determination to reward and especially thank those, like you, who have always loved and upheld the values and history of our Lombardy».

Even his political opponents, Umberto, have greeted him with respect, both nationally, like Pierluigi Bersani ("The most dignified opponent I have ever had"), and in Lombardy. "His positions sparked debate, but his passion for politics was undeniable,” wrote the mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala, on social media. "With his Lega, Umberto Bossi left a mark in the history of our country."

“It is not the North that should thank Umberto Bossi but the whole country. Without his contribution of vision, realism, and political ability, the republican history would have been very different, lacking a great interpreter of the need to respond to the demands of citizens in the northern regions and with them solutions for all of Italian society. In his great skill, he certainly also resorted to striking gestures, as when he proclaimed the secession of the North, but he always did so with the intent of establishing a point within which the goal remained always and only federalism. Politically, he was a remarkable father for all of us, and we are deeply grateful to him.” With these words, the president of the Regional Council of Veneto, Luca Zaia, remembers the historic leader of the Lega Nord.

In these moments, many other colleagues pay tribute and remember him. “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 leading figure in the change in Italy. To his family, a big hug and a prayer for him to rest in peace.” This is 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 respect not only from friends but also from his opponents.” This is stated in a note by Pier Ferdinando Casini.