Tajani proposes Perego for Milan mayor as La Russa outlines three-way center-right race

Forza Italia puts forward Matteo Perego

On 11 September 2026, Forza Italia national secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani announced Undersecretary of Defense Matteo Perego di Cremnago as the party's official candidate proposal for mayor of Milan. Speaking at the party's Azzurra Liberta youth festival, Tajani presented Perego as a representative of a younger political generation with deep local roots and institutional experience. Tajani noted that the future of Forza Italia belongs to younger figures rather than older officials, emphasizing that Perego comes from a family with fifteen generations in Milan and has worked closely with law enforcement and security sectors. The proposal is intended for discussion among the governing center-right coalition partners ahead of the 2027 municipal elections, where Forza Italia seeks to lead the mayoral ticket in the city where Silvio Berlusconi originally founded the movement.

La Russa defines a three-candidate contest

Senate President Ignazio La Russa addressed the mayoral nomination while attending the Tempo delle donne event at the Triennale di Milan on 11 September 2026. La Russa stated that coalition leadership in Rome had chosen to pursue a political candidate rather than a civic figure, a direction that had previously been contested by some coalition allies. According to La Russa, the selection is now a contest among three political figures: Matteo Perego di Cremnago from Forza Italia, Maurizio Lupi of Noi Moderati, and Silvia Sardone from Lega. La Russa remarked that Defense Minister Guido Crosetto had first suggested Perego to him in writing months earlier, while adding that he has supported Lupi for two years.

Until yesterday there was only one political candidate, Lupi, who I continue to say is an excellent candidate, but the other political candidates who seem to be in the running besides Lupi are also excellent: Perego is an excellent person, Sardone is an excellent person.

Coalition reactions and party endorsements

La Russa addressed civic figures who had previously offered their availability, inviting them to an upcoming meeting to ensure their contributions remain part of the coalition effort. Within Forza Italia, party officials aligned behind Perego following Tajani's announcement. Former Milan mayor and current Member of the European Parliament Letizia Moratti endorsed Perego, describing him as a credible profile with experience across parliament, government, and private business. Senate group leader Stefania Craxi and Lombardy regional coordinator Alessandro Sorte also backed the nomination, responding to local Lega and Fratelli d'Italia officials who questioned local territorial roots by noting Perego's familiarity with the city and ability to appeal to reformist and moderate voters.

Milan deserves to be led by a young interpreter of a city that needs to change, focusing on greater security and a different environmental policy, while defending its status as the economic capital of the country.

Coalition negotiations ahead of 2027

Tajani stated that Forza Italia will present Perego to coalition partners for open discussion rather than making unilateral demands. Lombardy regional councillor Gianluca Comazzi also supported Perego, stating that the undersecretary is the most suitable figure to engage Milan's moderate and productive sectors. Coalition leaders plan to conduct joint discussions to select unified candidates for Milan and other municipal races scheduled for 2027. The alliance aims to reach a shared agreement among Fratelli d'Italia, Lega, Forza Italia, and Noi Moderati as discussions over city tickets continue.