Umberto Bossi

Umberto Bossi, the Lombard labourer and would-be doctor and later legendary founder of the populist right-wing political party Northern League, is one of the greatest exponents of the so-called second Italian Republic. By founding the Lombard League in 1984 – which later, together with other autonomist groups, evolved into the Northern League – he aimed to instil regional pride and identity among the northern Italian population. Using historical memory, Celtic mythology, tribal culture, and folklore, he crafted a compelling narrative that resonated with diverse social groups. This paper examines Bossi’s charismatic leadership as the iconic founding father and long-time leader of the oldest party in the Italian Republic. His role as a significant political personality is analysed through his promotion of Padania, a proposed independent nation and state in northern Italy. The article analyses how Bossi used issues of culture, regional identity, criticism of centralism, and demands for autonomy to create a coherent political movement. Empirically, it draws on both discourse analysis and source materials, revealing Bossi’s key communication strategies from the founding of the Lombard League in 1984 until the European elections in June 2024.