PONTIDA, Italy — For decades, the Italian municipality of Pontida, north of Milan, has served as the site of the far-right League party’s annual meeting — an event that doubles as, well, an actual party. A year ago, Matteo Salvini stood on a stage here in front of throngs of supporters to predict his party would be in power for the next 30 years.
A lot can change in 12 months. When 80,000 supporters gathered here again this month, the tone was different. Salvini is now in opposition, ejected from his offices at Italy’s interior ministry after bringing down the government in a fumbled effort to trigger a new election.
But not even politics can stop a good party. Over the course of two days, Italians of all stripes — from middle-aged holidaymakers in campervans to hardcore fans from deep in the south — turned the valley into a sort of Woodstock.
Vendors dished out polenta and gorgonzola, alongside rivers of beer. Tents dotted the hillside, and while supporters occasionally let forth with rote chants — Elections now! Salvini, premier! Italians first! Freedom from Europe! Stop the migrant invasion! — the human mass seemed more interested in having a good time.
With one notable exception: League Youth supporters set up their own stage a few hundred meters from the main event. They had anger in the eyes, and, they said, a determination to keep pushing for Salvini — and the far-right ideals he champions — for years, if not decades, into the future.
Photographers Valentina Piccinni and Jean-Marc Caimi covered the event for POLITICO.
Members of the League Youth traveled from near and far to rally behind their leader | All photographs by Valentina Piccinni and Jean-Marc Caimi
A sweat-soaked Salvini addresses the crowd gathered in Pontida on the first of two days of rallies for the League.
Green — the party’s official color — was on full display over the weekend, in both traditional and unexpected ways.
Tents dotted the hills around the gathering …
… while a couple is spared the crowd outside by watching the main stage from their window.
Members of League Youth from Lombardia wave the traditional green flag; and a beer-drinking supporter sports a pin bearing the historical logo of the party.
Sun-baked supporters found a narrow sightline to the main stage on a nearby building site.
A furry supporter of Salvini’s (or a dog who just likes being out in the sun); and a fan of Salvini’s sporting an “Il Capitano” t-shirt.
An estimated 80,000 people crowded into the valley to support the League.
Entire families make pilgrimages from all over Italy to attend the rally.