Funeral of Roberto Maroni, in Varese also Giorgia Meloni. Uniforms and banners lined up in the square for the last tribute

Carabinieri in full uniform to carry the coffin, police forces and banners lined up in the square. At 11 in Varese the funeral of Robert Maroni – died last Tuesday at the age of 67 – in the Basilica of San Vittore, the city’s cathedral. State funerals, those for the former interior minister, decided yesterday by the Council of Ministers.

The coffin is precisely carried by the carabinieri in full uniform, as per the protocol of state funerals. In Piazza Alpini, carabinieri and financial police and several banners of Municipalities and Regions. The prime minister Giorgia Meloni arrived together with the president of the Senate Ignazio La Russa, she was greeted by applause. Also present at the funeral are the Speaker of the Chamber, Lorenzo Fontana, and various ministers. The three Northern League governors, Massimiliano Fedriga, Attilio Fontana and Luca Zaia entered the church together.

Maroni, who was also governor of Lombardy, is remembered for the last time in his city. The presence of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the entire staff of the League is expected, starting with the secretary Matteo Salvini. Citizens will be able to follow the function from a giant screen, the square is in fact ‘armored’ for the access of the authorities, with barriers to create lanes.

Also present are Pierfrancesco Majorino and Letizia Moratti, candidates for the presidency of the Lombardy Region for the centre-left and Third Pole. “I think Roberto Maroni was really a respectable person and also a very pleasant interlocutor. A loyal opponent and therefore I think Lombardy has lost a serious person,” said Majorino.