La contestazione leghista e la riscoperta del Tricolore (1990-2011)

Abstract

The article examines the controversy aroused by the secessionist policies promoted by Umberto Bossi and the Lega Nord between the 1990s and the beginning of the twentyfirst century. It highlights the use of symbolism as a communicative tool, and compares the disinterest shown by traditional political parties to the use by the Lega of innovative ways of mobilizing and transmitting its message. The article argues that the party’s secessionist politics revolved around a strong contrast between the symbols of the Lega and the Italian national flag, the “Tricolore”. It shows that the years 1995-1997, which followed the “Tangentopoli” crisis and the political break between Bossi and Berlusconi, represented a culminating point in this story. It was in that context that the so-called “Sun of the Alps” appeared, as well as the political use of sport, especially cycling. The article devotes some attention to the ideas of Gilberto Oneto, who was involved in finding symbolisms useful for the Lega. The last part of the article takes into consideration the initial reactions of Italy’s political class and of part of society, and examines the role of Ciampi, President of the Italian Republic, and his successor Napolitano. It examines their efforts to revive the use of the “Tricolore” even outside football stadiums and spread knowledge of the national anthem, an effort that was favored by the interpretation offered by Roberto Benigni at the Sanremo festival in 2011, which coincided with the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of Italian unification.