Changes

While once a regionalist and left-of-center party, Lega Nord has since shifted strongly toward the right and tried to appeal to Italian voters throughout the country. Much of this shift occurred shortly before and after [[Matteo Salvini]], who led the effort to expand it from just a regional party,<ref>Kirchgaessner, Stephanie; Tondo, Lorenzo (February 28, 2018). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/01/matteo-salvini-extends-his-far-right-appeal-as-far-as-sicily Matteo Salvini extends Northern League's appeal as far south as Sicily]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved March 4, 2018.</ref><ref>Balmer, Crispian (February 9, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-election-league/italys-league-leaves-northern-bastions-bangs-anti-migrant-drum-idUSKBN1FT1Q9 Italy's League leaves northern bastions, bangs anti-migrant drum]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved February 9, 2018.</ref> became its leader in 2013. While Lega Nord was in serious trouble when Salvini became party leader, he significantly grew the party to become the country's dominant political force by 2018 through focusing on a nationalist and populist agenda similar to that of U.S. President [[Donald Trump]].<ref>Lyman, Eric J. (June 4, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jun/4/matteo-salvini-league-looks-be-italys-dominant-pol/ Matteo Salvini expands clout of Italy's League by stealing page from Trump's immigration playbook]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved June 4, 2018.</ref>

While once a regionalist and left-of-center party, Lega Nord has since shifted strongly toward the right and tried to appeal to Italian voters throughout the country. Much of this shift occurred shortly before and after [[Matteo Salvini]], who led the effort to expand it from just a regional party,<ref>Kirchgaessner, Stephanie; Tondo, Lorenzo (February 28, 2018). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/01/matteo-salvini-extends-his-far-right-appeal-as-far-as-sicily Matteo Salvini extends Northern League's appeal as far south as Sicily]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved March 4, 2018.</ref><ref>Balmer, Crispian (February 9, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-election-league/italys-league-leaves-northern-bastions-bangs-anti-migrant-drum-idUSKBN1FT1Q9 Italy's League leaves northern bastions, bangs anti-migrant drum]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved February 9, 2018.</ref> became its leader in 2013. While Lega Nord was in serious trouble when Salvini became party leader, he significantly grew the party to become the country's dominant political force by 2018 through focusing on a nationalist and populist agenda similar to that of U.S. President [[Donald Trump]].<ref>Lyman, Eric J. (June 4, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jun/4/matteo-salvini-league-looks-be-italys-dominant-pol/ Matteo Salvini expands clout of Italy's League by stealing page from Trump's immigration playbook]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved June 4, 2018.</ref>

The party was renamed "The League" for the 2018 general election, and it made massive gains, quadrupling its vote share. While it strongly opposes immigration, it elected the first black senator in Italian history, contrary to left-wing caricatures of it.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (March 7, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/03/07/italian-populists-elect-first-black-senator-county-history/ Right-Wing Italian Populist Is First Black Senator in Country’s History]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 7, 2018.</ref><ref>Osborne, Samuel (March 7, 2018). [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/italy-elections-black-senator-elect-lega-nord-anti-immigration-party-toni-iwobi-brescia-lombardy-a8243736.html Italy elects first black senator in history, for anti-immigration Lega party]. ''The Independent''. Retrieved March 7, 2018.</ref> Lega performed so well that it became the dominant party in its coalition, overtaking [[Silvio Berlusconi]]'s establishment Forza Italia,<ref name="Success">Multiple references:

The party was renamed "The League" for the 2018 general election, and it made massive gains, quadrupling its vote share. While it strongly opposes immigration, it elected the first black senator in Italian history, contrary to left-wing caricatures of it.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (March 7, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/03/07/italian-populists-elect-first-black-senator-county-history/ Right-Wing Italian Populist Is First Black Senator in Country’s History]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 7, 2018.</ref><ref>Osborne, Samuel (March 7, 2018). [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/italy-elections-black-senator-elect-lega-nord-anti-immigration-party-toni-iwobi-brescia-lombardy-a8243736.html Italy elects first black senator in history, for anti-immigration Lega party]. ''The Independent''. Retrieved March 7, 2018.</ref> Lega performed so well that it became the dominant party in its coalition, overtaking [[Silvio Berlusconi]]'s establishment Forza Italia,<ref name="Success">Multiple references:

*Schumacher, Elizabeth (March 5, 2018). [http://p.dw.com/p/2ti8M Matteo Salvini: Italy's far-right success story]. ''Deutsche Welle''. Retrieved March 23, 2018.

*Schumacher, Elizabeth (March 5, 2018). [http://p.dw.com/p/2ti8M Matteo Salvini: Italy's far-right success story]. ''Deutsche Welle''. Retrieved March 23, 2018.

*Williams, Thomas D. (June 11, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/11/italys-populist-league-dominates-municipal-elections-sunday/ Italy’s Populist League Dominates Municipal Elections Sunday]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 11, 2018.</ref> An Italian poll in June 2018 found that Lega Nord had become the most popular party in Italy for the first time.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (June 20, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/20/new-poll-shows-populist-la-lega-most-popular-party-italy/ New Poll Shows Populist La Lega Most Popular Party In Italy For the First Time]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 20, 2018.</ref>

*Williams, Thomas D. (June 11, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/11/italys-populist-league-dominates-municipal-elections-sunday/ Italy’s Populist League Dominates Municipal Elections Sunday]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 11, 2018.</ref> An Italian poll in June 2018 found that Lega Nord had become the most popular party in Italy for the first time.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (June 20, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/20/new-poll-shows-populist-la-lega-most-popular-party-italy/ New Poll Shows Populist La Lega Most Popular Party In Italy For the First Time]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 20, 2018.</ref>

In May 2018, the League and the fellow anti-establishment [[Five Star Movement]] agreed to a common platform, one that promoted strongly nationalist and anti-establishment policies.<ref>Multiple references:

In May 2018, the League and the fellow anti-establishment [[Five Star Movement]] agreed to a common platform, one that promoted strongly nationalist and anti-establishment policies.<ref>Multiple references:

*Shaw, Adam (May 19, 2018). [http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/05/19/italy-on-cusp-populist-coalition-after-parties-publish-radical-joint-program.html Italy on cusp of populist coalition after parties publish radical joint program]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved May 20, 2018.

*Shaw, Adam (May 19, 2018). [http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/05/19/italy-on-cusp-populist-coalition-after-parties-publish-radical-joint-program.html Italy on cusp of populist coalition after parties publish radical joint program]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved May 20, 2018.