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Umberto
BOSSI
3.1982 - 2012

Padania is the name given by the Lega Nord (Northern League) political party to the independent state they hope to form in the north of Italy. 

Lega was founded in March, 1982 by Umberto Bossi as the Lombard League and the name was subsequently changed to Lega Nord. Bossi had been very successful in promoting his agenda; pro-business, an end to subsidies for Southern Italy, deregulation, stopping illegal immigration, stopping corruption and the most controversial position, to divide Italy into three federalist states, with Padania being the north most state.

After surprising showings in both provincial and national elections, Lega Nord has sent representative to the provincial legislature, had six cabinet ministers in the national government and has two representatives in the European parliament. Bossi was appointed Senator and is affectionately called Il Senatúr, northern dialect for Senator.

Bossi was born in Varese in 1943 and worked as a factory hand, was a guitarist in a dance band and studied medicine at the University of Milan. In February 1979 he met Bruno Salvadori, the leader of Union Valdôtaine and became actively involved in the organization, working for regional autonomy and the restructuring of the Italian government. After Salvadori's death in a car crash, Bossi worked tirelessly to build the organization which eventually became Lega Lombarda and finally Lega Nord.

Umberto Bossi's signature is seen on some of the notes, however, it is believed that these notes are considered as private issues, and as such, collectors would probably call them "partisan or fantasy issues." Many of these notes are printed on thin plain bond paper while others appear as real banknotes.

On 5 April 2012, when news broke of an alleged appropriation of party funds for the private affairs of his family, Umberto Bossi resigned as federal secretary of Northern League

Padania - Lega Nord has also issued a number of coins and stamps as well as Identification Cards.

Bibliography: The Lega Nord and Northern Question in Italian Politics; Anna C. Bull & Mark Gilbert; ISBN 0-333-75068-3; Palgrave, St.Martins Press ©2001