Bossi is the founder and former leader of the party.
Salvini, who is also transport minister, added that the League’s showing in the vote had been much better than expected.
According to projections, League got 8.5 per cent, slightly under the 8.8 per cent it won in the 2022 general election.
It was overtaken by its centre-right coalition partners, Forza Italia (FI).
“For the past year everyone had been giving us up for dead, but we are alive and kicking,” Salvini said at the party headquarters in Milan.
“We are alive, although certainly with some oddities, with the former party secretary saying the day before the vote that he would vote for another party.
“I thank those who have never betrayed [us], I do not like those who run away and change colours according to convenience.
“The League was founded 40 years ago and will still be here in 40 years’ time.
“I don’t want to hurt anyone, and I even named my book after Bossi, but I definitely will have to listen to what the militants say [about his statement].
“Our political movement is growing despite the fact that its founder announced that he was voting for another party, a curious thing.
‘It’s not an act of disrespect to the incumbent secretary, but to an entire community.”
Bossi had said he would vote for a former League member who was running for FI.
Salvini added that the elections, which saw Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party come first with almost 29 per cent of the vote, had “strengthened” the government.
“What I hope can change is European politics,” he added.
“I hope to see a [ruling] centre-right in Europe too.
“I’ll be in Brussels on Wednesday to work on this.”
ANSA
