Matteo Salvini
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport of Italy (from October 2022) · Lega (League)
2 changes of mind on record, 2016–2026
Where they stand
The latest thing they said on each issue, dated. Tap an issue for their words and the source.
Economy and energy
Minimum wage Wages by collective bargaining Earlier: A legal minimum wage, 2018
Said
A legal minimum wage would lower the pay of everyone else.
“#Salariominimo, una boiata, lo dicono tutti: avrebbe come effetto di abbassare il salario di tutti gli altri.”
Our translation #Minimumwage, nonsense, everyone says so: it would have the effect of lowering the wage of everyone else.
Strait of Messina bridge Build the bridge Earlier: Do not build it, 2016
Said
As minister he is building the bridge and calls it a fundamental, strategic work for the country.
“Un piacere ricevere al MIT Hiroshi Ide, presidente di IHI Corporation, leader mondiale nella realizzazione dei ponti a campata unica, che avrà un ruolo cruciale nel progetto del Ponte sullo Stretto di Messina. Massima sintonia su un’opera fondamentale e strategica per il Paese.”
Our translation A pleasure to receive at the MIT Hiroshi Ide, president of IHI Corporation, world leader in building single-span bridges, which will have a crucial role in the project of the Bridge over the Strait of Messina. Full agreement on a fundamental and strategic work for the Country.
Source @matteosalvinimi on X
Nuclear power Bring nuclear power back
Said
He welcomes the final approval of Italy's return to nuclear power as clean, modern energy.
“Via libera definitivo al ritorno del nucleare in Italia: energia pulita, moderna e finalmente libera da vecchi pregiudizi ideologici.”
Our translation Final green light to the return of nuclear power in Italy: clean, modern energy finally free of old ideological prejudices.
Source @matteosalvinimi on X
Society
Migration Stop arrivals, process abroad
Said
He stands by having stopped migrant landings as interior minister and would do it again.
“A processo per aver fermato gli sbarchi e difeso i confini italiani. Rifarei tutto, a testa alta.”
Our translation On trial for having stopped the landings and defended Italy's borders. I would do it all again, head held high.
Source @matteosalvinimi on X
Institutions
Judges and prosecutors Separate the careers
Said
He hails parliament's final vote on separating the careers of judges and prosecutors and campaigns for it in the referendum.
“Fuori la politica e le correnti dai Tribunali, separazione delle carriere e una Giustizia finalmente più veloce ed efficiente. Promessa mantenuta!”
Our translation Politics and factions out of the courts, separation of careers and a Justice system finally faster and more efficient. Promise kept!
Source @matteosalvinimi on X
Electing the prime minister Directly elect the PM
Said
The premierato reform must go ahead together with regional autonomy.
“l’Autonomia e il Premierato devono continuare ad andare avanti mano nella mano.”
Our translation Autonomy and the Premierato must continue to go forward hand in hand.
Source @matteosalvinimi on X
Italy in the world
Ukraine Push for talks, fewer arms
Said
Italy is not at war with Russia, the sooner there are talks the better, and he would not take money from Italian health care for the war.
“non siamo in guerra contro la Russia. Prima ci si siede a un tavolo e meglio è per tutti.”
Our translation we are not at war against Russia. The sooner we sit down at a table, the better for everyone.
Palestinian state Not now
Said
Recognising Palestine now would be a gift to terrorists; Hamas must be removed first.
“Riconoscere la Palestina oggi significa fare un regalo ai terroristi.”
Our translation Recognising Palestine today means giving a gift to the terrorists.
Source Salvini: "Riconoscere Palestina oggi è fare un regalo ai terroristi" (LaPresse video, 24 September 2025) (as reported by lapresse.it)
2 changes of mind on record, 2016–2026
How this works
Each change shows what they said then and what they said later, in their own words, dated, with the source.
Every quote is checked word for word against a saved copy of its source. Translations are labelled.
The short labels on each line are our summaries.
At a glance
- A bridge over the Strait of Messina Rail first, not the bridgeBuild the bridge Oct 2016May 2026
- A legal minimum wage A guaranteed minimum wageMinimum wage lowers pay Jan 2018Sept 2019
first said said otherwise
Each colour is a position; their order does not mean one is better. A colour runs from a statement to the next one, and each statement is a small mark.
A bridge over the Strait of Messina
Then
Rail first, not the bridge
He would not spend billions on a bridge while Sicily and Calabria lack modern railways.
“Non vorrei spendere qualche miliardo di euro per un ponte in mezzo al mare quando sia in Sicilia che in Calabria i treni non ci sono e vanno a binario unico”
Our translation I would not want to spend a few billion euros on a bridge in the middle of the sea when both in Sicily and in Calabria the trains are not there and run on single track
Source Quando Salvini e Renzi erano contro il Ponte sullo Stretto (Pagella Politica), quoting his interview on L'aria che tira, La7, 1 October 2016 (as reported by pagellapolitica.it)
9 years, 7 months later
Later
Build the bridge
As minister he is building the bridge and calls it a fundamental, strategic work for the country.
“Un piacere ricevere al MIT Hiroshi Ide, presidente di IHI Corporation, leader mondiale nella realizzazione dei ponti a campata unica, che avrà un ruolo cruciale nel progetto del Ponte sullo Stretto di Messina. Massima sintonia su un’opera fondamentale e strategica per il Paese.”
Our translation A pleasure to receive at the MIT Hiroshi Ide, president of IHI Corporation, world leader in building single-span bridges, which will have a crucial role in the project of the Bridge over the Strait of Messina. Full agreement on a fundamental and strategic work for the Country.
Source @matteosalvinimi on X
Context: In September 2015 he had told Sky Tg24 he had many doubts about the bridge's use and cost; the centre-right put the bridge in its 2022 programme, and as minister from October 2022 he relaunched the project, whose final design was approved in August 2025.
A legal minimum wage
Then
A guaranteed minimum wage
A guaranteed minimum wage should be introduced, as in Switzerland, to outlaw exploitative pay.
“Serve introdurre un salario minimo garantito, come in Svizzera. Metterò fuori legge uno stipendio da SFRUTTAMENTO.”
Our translation A guaranteed minimum wage must be introduced, as in Switzerland. I will outlaw an EXPLOITATION salary.
1 year, 7 months later
Later
Minimum wage lowers pay
A legal minimum wage would lower the pay of everyone else.
“#Salariominimo, una boiata, lo dicono tutti: avrebbe come effetto di abbassare il salario di tutti gli altri.”
Our translation #Minimumwage, nonsense, everyone says so: it would have the effect of lowering the wage of everyone else.
Context: The Lega's 2018 election programme asked for a minimum wage; in June 2019, in government with the Five Star Movement, he said taxes on businesses had to be cut first.