“Defending Italy is not a crime.” The hug with his partner Francesca Verdini, who is moved

«And now forward, even stronger than before». To say that the acquittal has revved him up is an understatement: “Now there's nothing left for anyone”, the Northern League supporters nudge each other outside the bunker classroom of the Pagliarelli stadium in Palermo. Matteo Salvini won the battle. But the “war” is the one that the leader of the Northern League wants to fight again immediately, now that a sentence has established that – as the consensus machine of Via Bellerio repeats with the bass drum – “defending the borders is not a crime”.

And it is an entirely political war, which is played out on two fronts. First: push the accelerator of the reforms dear to the League, starting – precisely – with that of justice. Salvini says it clearly, connected with Five Minutes a few minutes after the verdict: «I have broad shoulders, in the event of a conviction I would have gone ahead anyway. But if I think that a thousand Italians are arrested unjustly every year and don't have the money for a lawyer and lose their jobs, their loved ones and their lives…”. In short, we need to “rethink the times and methods of justice”. And do it right away. Starting with a quick yes to the separation of careers as soon as it arrived in the Chamber. The other front is that of consensus. The League's strategists are convinced: the acquittal will only increase the popularity of the deputy prime minister and his party. Giving it back a centrality that may have faded in recent months. «I'm curious to hear the left-wing accusers, the raging professors who until half an hour ago believed I was a dangerous criminal, racist, fascist. What will they say when faced with a court sentence?” Salvini gloats. Who points the finger at a “trial brought by the Democratic Party and Cinquestelle”, guilty of having voted to send him to trial in 2020, and therefore of having allowed a proceeding to be started which in three years of hearings has “cost the Italians millions” .

THE TENSION

For the deputy prime minister, it is the epilogue of an affair that lasted five years, but also of a day of tension and visible tiredness, despite the optimism and jokes that he tries to dispense since the morning to reassure not only his children, who he hears on the phone , but above all an even more tense Francesca Verdini, who embraces him and is moved. «I was calm – Salvini assures me in the evening – even if I wouldn't wish those 30 seconds in which you stand up and the judge decides whether you are a respectable person or a criminal, on anyone. Not even to the left that gave me this trial.” Then he reiterates the line: «Doors open to those who escape from the war and come to Italy to build a future, but not to those who come to commit crimes or without having the right».

And so here he is, the deputy prime minister, who, while waiting for the decision, tries to joke about it. «Do you like the classroom? I've spent some time there now”, he looks around at his Northern League colleagues. With whom he also starts a bet, almost to exorcise the condemnation: «How much will they give me? One year, seven months? Then, when at midday the judges retire for the long council chamber, more smiles: «And now everyone for lunch at the home of Bongiorno», born in Palermo. “She cooks.” At lunchtime, however, the Northern League members gather together for a snack at the Caffè Spinnato, right in the centre. On the menu (typical of Palermo) baked rings, panelle, croquettes and sfincione. But also the next moves on via Bellerio. Starting with this weekend's gazebos, which will reiterate the claim. Then a cigarette and a walk arm in arm with “Franci” – who later becomes emotional – through the streets of the center (“We're enjoying a bit of sun”), amid requests for selfies and wishes for a Merry Christmas from passers-by. Up to San Domenico, where Judge Falcone is buried. However, the church is closed for work, so the minister and his companion have no choice but to get into the car for one last stop (the Picasso exhibition at Palazzo dei Normanni), before returning to the bunker hall a couple of hours later. Meanwhile, she dedicated a post to him on Instagram: «You are the kindest and bravest person I have ever met, I couldn't be more proud and grateful. Hold on.” He will have to hold on for a few more hours, then the happy ending. «This – he smiles in the evening – is a beautiful day».