Luca Bernardo, Forza Italia group leader at the Milan City Council, has joined Futuro Nazionale, the political movement founded by General Roberto Vannacci. The announcement was anticipated by a press conference scheduled for Thursday, during which Bernardo will explain the reasons for his choice in the presence of Vannacci himself.

Bernardo had been the center-right mayoral candidate in the 2021 Milan elections, losing to the incumbent Beppe Sala. Chief of pediatrics at Fatebenefratelli hospital in Milan and known as an expert on bullying, in the weeks preceding the announcement he had expressed his willingness to run again as mayor for the center-right and for Forza Italia.

According to the Futuro Nazionale movement, Bernardo's membership contributes to strengthening the movement's political presence in Milan and consolidating its grassroots presence in the territory and institutions.

Mayor Beppe Sala stated he was surprised by the news, of which he had no prior knowledge, and intended to speak with Bernardo to understand the reasons behind this decision.

During the 2021 electoral campaign Bernardo had been at the center of a controversy regarding his admission to having entered the hospital armed, while specifying he had never carried the weapon in the wards or in the presence of patients, but only in his office and only in nighttime situations, citing personal safety reasons due to threats received.