Federica Picchi case, Fontana: I'll call the group leaders. The outcome: we're loyal. Resignation? She'll decide.

Milan, November 6, 2025 – "I had called together the group leaders and received reassurances. I will call them together and understand what happened," said Attilio Fontana , President of the Lombardy Region, in an interview on Aria Pulita on 7Gold. Fontana responded to a question about the motion of no confidence in Undersecretary Federica Picchi , passed with the support of numerous snipers, and the resulting tensions within the center-right. " I don't know what happened; I'm wondering the same thing," added Fontana.

Federica Picchi, Undersecretary for Sport and Youth of the Lombardy Region

The political storm over the Picchi case continues unabated . The Fratelli d'Italia representative, close to Arianna Meloni, had found herself at the center of controversy for posting on her social media profiles about the correlation between vaccines and autism . The center-left, for its part, has not spared broadsides to the top brass at Palazzo Lombardia: "It is increasingly clear that the Lombardy Region lacks political leadership. Reading their statements, once again it is unclear whether President Fontana is there or just pretending," said Pierfrancesco Majorino, Democratic Party group leader in the Regional Council . "On Tuesday, in the Chamber, we will be very clearly reminded of the incredible situation the Lombardy Region has found itself in, which has resulted in a no-vax undersecretary being confirmed despite a massive vote of no confidence from a cross-party majority , with a large turnout of right-wing councilors. A very clear vote, which says Picchi must be removed."

In the evening, Forza Italia Lombardy regional secretary Alessandro Sorte also issued a statement rejecting accusations of "disloyalty": "Regarding the motion of no confidence in Undersecretary Picchi, I would like to reiterate not only that Forza Italia has been loyal to the Brothers of Italy party, and always will be, because we want to be a force of balance, moderation, and one that can unite the hearts of the center-right." Regarding whether Picchi should step back, he said: "These are matters I leave to the undersecretary's conscience ; if she wants to continue and feels at peace with herself, she can very well continue." Forza Italia, for its part, " supports the Fontana administration and, among other things, considers Attilio Fontana to be a very good president, pragmatic, concrete, and non-ideological. And therefore," he concluded, "this is Forza Italia's position."