The anti-Vannaccian troops stop worrying. In Veneto, from Peschiera del Garda to Bibione, there is their most worthy standard bearer. Alberto Stefani enters an immense pavilion of the Padua Fair, dapper and radiant. Pianist’s hands, very white teeth, dark suit. Voting takes place at the end of November. Another day of election campaign begins. General Roberto Vannacci loves guerrilla warfare. The Northern League deputy promises a gentle revolution. He is a young prodigy, used to standing out. At 15 he joined the League. At 19 he was a municipal councilor in Borgoricco. At 26 he becomes mayor. “It was my dream as a child,” he recalls. “I even wrote it in an essay in elementary school.”
The beginnings of a young prodigy
The aspiring Venetian governor willingly talks about his prodigious beginnings. Perennial top of the class. Mathematics Olympics, scholarships, top marks. Until his brilliant degree in canon law, with a thesis dedicated to his great-grandmother Vittoria: «I grew up with her. He was the most important person in my life. I always carry half of one of his necklaces with me as a good luck charm.” It taught him, he says, that courtesy and respect that he would now like to propagate. There is, however, another important ancestor. Grandfather Aldo, a fervent communist: «He coordinated the strikes in Breda, fighting for workers’ rights. He represented the left that no longer exists today.”
The prince of Veneto
Stefani is only 33 years old. After Luca Zaia’s fifteen years, he is the candidate for the throne. Light eyes, flowing quiff, brown beard. It proceeds among the stands of the Padua fair. He loves others and seems reciprocated. He defines himself as a “strong believer”. He says: «I was also an educator in Catholic Action. If I can, I go to mass on Sunday.” Not even the Capitoline softness seems to lead him astray. “When they elected me as a deputy, I was 25 years and three months old.” The youngest ever? «The second, I think. In Rome, however, I immediately found accommodation in a place run by Franciscan nuns. After eight years, I continue to be there.” Is he a pushover? “I’m a good boy.” Fiancé? «With a forensic psychologist from Vicenza». Otherworldly passions? «Painting abstract paintings. I made about fifty of them. I gave some of them away. I keep others at home, here in Padua. And then I write poems, or maybe they are just reflections.” Even on politics? «The electoral program was born from the notes taken in the gazebos».
The connection with Salvini and Fontana
If Zaia is the Doge, Stefani is the Prince. Eight months ago he already seemed to be the chosen one. Negotiations with allies, however, were not easy. In the end, the Northern League prevailed. The designated heir has led the Liga Veneta since June 2020. A year ago he became deputy secretary of the party. Matteo Salvini, the leader, dotes on him. However, the most important person for his meteoric rise remains the Veronese Lorenzo Fontana, president of the Chamber: «I met him as a boy, when I was the provincial youth coordinator. He picked me up. I consider him my political godfather.” “Each of us has a spiritual dimension to cultivate” he reports while delicately shaking hands with a voter. «This will be a revolution of style, as well as generational. Style is important. Not only in life, but also in politics.”
The moderate identity of the Liga Veneta
Controversy is raging in the League over the supposed hegemony of General Roberto Vannacci, also deputy secretary of the League, although recently minted. The thoughtful aspirant, however, seems the opposite of the bold MEP: «The Liga Veneta has a practical and moderate identity, which we must continue to cultivate. The evening my candidacy was presented there were three thousand people. No one was singing the praises of who knows what. They were normal people, who work during the day and volunteer in the evening.” Under the flag of Veneto, he points out, it says pax, in Latin. «And therefore its governor must be a man of peace». What do you think of the Bavarian model, also launched by Zaia? «It is right to strengthen regional identities, but always within a single party. La Liga, among other things, already has its own statute.” And Salvini? “He shares.”
The competition in the center-right
Many colonels don’t appreciate the national party. «Matteo was elected federal secretary unanimously. No one ran against him. If someone had something to say, they could do it then.” The League, however, is at nine percent, far from its old glories. “Once upon a time, bottles were uncorked with those numbers.” Your centre-left opponent, Giovanni Manildo, says that you are an expression of the Vannacciana League: «I will never speak badly of my opponents. No controversy. No attacks.” The general, however, said he will support her. «What matters is the support of the Venetians».
Among the people and the streets of Veneto
Stefani gets back into the small German car with which she travels around the region, together with two trusted collaborators. Padua is devastated by exhausting work on a questionable tram. We need to reach the party headquarters, on the outskirts. The League aims to get one more vote than Fratelli d’Italia, who won at the last European Championships. «It is normal competition between allies. Everyone wants to come first. It seems obvious to me.” They banned Zaia from presenting his list. «I completely agreed, however. He would have represented his transversal electorate well.” «It will be an opportunity to open our doors and grow further. We are happy to have him on the team. After Zaia, I write Zaia too.”
Social issues at the center of the program
How are the relations between the Prince and the Doge?, we ask. «Excellent. See you at dinner too. We often talk about something else.” Will there be continuity? «There must be. But pride in the results achieved can be combined with tomorrow. Those who are involved in politics today have the obligation to look to the next thirty years.” First point of the program? «The social». In Veneto they were used to businesses and infrastructures. «I know it can be disorienting. But the average lifespan is getting longer. We need care, adequate structures, dedicated neighborhoods. It is the theme of the future. I understood this when I was mayor. The most important thing was to give comfort to the elderly. Loneliness is a tragedy. They came for the badly cut grass, we ended up talking about their problems.”
A different approach: social and environment
Lunch time. Stefani is expected in a drug rehabilitation center. «Social work was my choice, even against someone’s opinion» he admits. «Discomfort, addictions, loneliness. I proposed the basic psychologist in schools and municipalities.” «I’ll leave you my number. I like to build relationships after the electoral campaign, not before.” Inevitable thunderous applause. “We also focus on topics that are not normally considered center-right.” For example? «The environment. Rather than an ideological vision, we must favor pragmatic ecologism. It is perhaps the most identifying thing about a community. Why leave it to the left?
Sensitive topics and personal values
Do you also want to rant about immigration? «I have a very clear position: uncontrolled landings cause insecurity. It must be regulated.” Euthanasia? «We need a national law. Like the church, politics must delimit the boundaries between life and therapeutic fury.” Rainbow families? “A child needs a mother and a father.”
The gentleman candidate
Prince Albert arrives at Canottieri Padova in the afternoon. Illustrious managers of sports clubs welcomed him. «A candidate must also have a human dimension» he explains before the discussion. «That’s how you get excited. If politics becomes a world for the cunning and cunning, people will turn away. We may think differently, but fairness must always triumph. Just like in sport.” The postprandial event ends with vigorous patting. Stefani earns her exit among elderly tennis players and tireless rowers. The phone rings. The Northern League member goes away for a few minutes. Who was he? «Salvini». So? “He wanted to know how the daily meetings went.” Stefani gets back in the car. In half an hour he has a train to the capital. The car is stuck in traffic. A few weeks ago, while he was lined up, he earned imperishable glory. «We saw this girl being beaten in another car, in front of us. We chased her until we went out to stop her, while the police reached us.” Also sheriff. But still a gentleman. Meanwhile, he arrives at the station. The train is on time. Sister Rosetta is waiting for him in Rome.
