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The leader of the right-wing Lega said he will fight Brussels to make sure “Italians come first” should he become Italy’s next Prime Minister in tomorrow's Italian general election. The party leader, dubbed the “Italian Farage” could become one of the most dangerous politicians within the Union, as he has threatened the bloc to withdraw Italy’s funds and even trigger an “Italexit” if his demands for Italy aren't greeted. Focusing his electoral campaign on fighting illegal immigration and protecting Italy from the EU’s “unfair” financial laws, he has often criticised both Eurocrats’ calls for greater integration and the euro, which he renamed “a German currency”. He has often claimed that the regulations imposed by the European Union are damaging Italian industries and the Italian economy

The laws imposed by Brussels damage Italian artisans, traders, pensioners, but hey, Europe is asking so we have to obey Matteo Salvini

Earlier today, Mr Salvini vowed to stop bowing to damaging regulations and directives coming from Brussels. Speaking on La7 Coffee Break, he said: “We need to put Italian interests before those of the European Union, or at least at the same level. “The laws imposed by Brussels damage Italian artisans, traders, pensioners, but hey, Europe is asking so we have to obey.” Mr Salvini also complained that only a small group of people in Europe holds “the real power” to take decision for the whole bloc, obliging the other members to “serve” rather than participate as equal partners.

AFP•GETTY Matteo Salvini has threatened the bloc to withdraw Italy’s funds and even trigger an 'Italexit'

Mr Salvini has pledged to “defend Italy from the invasion” and avoid an “Islamification of the society”, called for the EU to change core immigration treaties and urged Italy to close its borders. Hailing Brexit as an example to follow and an opportunity, the Eurosceptic said that unless Italy changes its position and relevance in Europe “there is no point in continuing to pay the EU”. Earlier this year he said in an interview to Italian TV channel La7: “I will fight until the end to try and change the rules of this Europe. “They can give me two answers: they can say yes, or they can say no.

In pictures: Crises that have crippled Italy Thu, November 2, 2017 The European Union has warned that Italy's economy is not improving Play slideshow EPA 1 of 9 November 2016: Florence erupts in violence as anti-Renzi protesters clash with riot cops. Hooded youths attacked lines of cops protecting embattled prime minister Matteo Renzi, who was in the city for crunch political talks.

“If they say yes to my proposals, I’ll be happy to stay in Europe with a purpose. “If they say no, I need to be ready to defend Italian people’s economic interests, debating everything, starting from the euro.” Mr Salvini, who in 2014 stated that it is “impossible to reform the EU, it should just be demolished and rebuilt from the ground”, has been battling Brussels from within since he was first elected MEP in 2003. His anti-EU positions could weaken the alliance with Forza Italia leader Silvio Berlusconi, who with Mr Salvini and Brothers of Italy’s leader Giorgia Meloni form the centre-right wing coalition, currently ahead in the polls.

GETTY Matteo Salvini hailed Brexit as an example to follow and an opportunity