Source: The Washington Post
ROME — The leader of his favorite political party and the leader of his faith had staked out such differing positions that Stefano Dente felt he had to choose. But for Dente, the decision wasn’t so hard. Even if the Catholic Church objected, he was voting for the far-right League party.
“Now, you should kick me out of church,” Dente, 48, joked to several priests he knew before going to the polls.
The votes cast by Dente, an energy company employee, and 9 million other Italians provided Matteo Salvini’s League with a soaring performance in Sunday’s European parliamentary elections. The League captured 34 percent of the vote, more than any other Italian party, continuing an ascent unequaled by other nationalist groups in Western Europe.