Being forced because of legal requirements, the Northern League amended its statutes earlier this month, and despite its growing involvement in Italian politics at the state level, the party led by Matteo Salvini continues to state in Article 1 that its final goal is "the independence of Padania." According to Italian news AGI, Northern League organizational coordinator Roberto Calderoli said that those who disagree with that goal "can leave."

The decision is in sharp contrast with criticism against the Northern League by several Lombard, Piedmontese and Veneto pro-independence parties. According to them, Salvini's party does not really want independence, but a federal Italy and increased Northern influence in Italian politics.