The Salvini effect: What explains Italian interior minister's popularity?

By: Natalia MENDOZA | Bernard BEDARIDA | Charlotte DAVAN WETTON 1 min

In Italy, Interior Minister Matteo Salvini was - and remains - the leader of the Northern League, a far right-leaning Eurosceptic party. As a regional movement, it secured only 4% of the vote in the 2013 general elections. But now, rebranded as the League, it aims to become Italy's top party. The latest polls project the League would win 33% of votes if an election were held today, with Salvini's hardline posture on illegal immigration proving increasingly popular. Our correspondents report.